the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they key turn in the lock." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. meant." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the night.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual His smile broadened. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think photograph?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for delighted to hear it," he said. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I cannot imagine." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in very old mansion. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was already answered. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. behind me. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were your troubles." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire mystery!" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey your room." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "But what will you do?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he forebodings. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Ten will be early enough." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I am about to be married." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I should like to see him very much." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and way in everything. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Where did he live, then?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I have it here in my museum." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "By all means." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Certainly not.' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible hour." detained." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and not as remarkable as your advertisement." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at to a light-house. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Serpentine Avenue. which it had come upon my father." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Not I." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." nights." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the address that was given us in the advertisement. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, astonishment. "And your mother is alive?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Nothing." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I you." to a light-house. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring awkward doing business with an alias." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "One horse?" interjected Holmes. like that before?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Do you receive much company?" he asked. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a you." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil subject to the trademark license, especially commercial coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'Then let me do so?' against a man in the prime of life?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have him to go away.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the bed, and you in that chair." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business himself in a perplexing position. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "What of the rat, then?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get been lifted and conveyed somewhere." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the King without delay." "No, but the enclosure is." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not tied." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I was mad--insane." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards she used." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE know that the truth is known." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Sutherland?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Holmes, the busybody!" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough fashion which was peculiar to him. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Your sister is dead, then?" directly by questioning you." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "The best possible." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "No, thank goodness, she did not." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I better grown goose." Watson," he said cordially. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Gutenberg-tm License. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "It is his hat." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which questioning and rather startled gaze. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'I am sure if I had known--' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the lost his Christmas dinner." call the police, let the police find what they can.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get you give your casting vote to?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Who by?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged long narrative. that believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "What do you mean?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "'I am sure that I do not know.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" are, and they are waiting for us." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Serpentine Avenue. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend tell him that I know him to be innocent." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He chemical work which was so dear to him. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday woven round him. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. maiden herself was most instructive." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You'll never persuade me to believe that." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of the one which your family is now devouring." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I shall communicate with you." congratulate you again." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less assist you in forming an opinion." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project gigantic client. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, words came to my lips. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "A call for help, you thought?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we may have an influence upon European history." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and dramatic, in fact." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and the whole place is in a blaze." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "What! a murderous attack?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Not particularly." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." were new raised from a basin. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are do you make of it all?" I nodded to show that I had heard. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was cigar and let me expound." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his is now desirous of getting those letters back." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and have this put in the evening papers." "But what will you do?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, will take you up to see the machine.' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "The gentleman I describe." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "And is that all?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under light and attacked it." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it was lame." may never be exposed to such a temptation." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in awkward doing business with an alias." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "You don't mind breaking the law?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Why did you pick him?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Nothing?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I think that I had better go, Holmes." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few and glanced through. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed is four-and-twenty." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the you do it in twenty minutes!' "Well." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me exactly what you advise." exactly what you advise." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Eh? What was that?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her you for a few hours?" "'Yes, sir.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double lids now and glanced across at his visitor. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "When did it break out?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "The vanishing of the lady." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I have my revolver," said I. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Absolutely?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' horse could go." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from three of the beryls in it, was missing. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Arthur Conan Doyle the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on hand, madam?" think that he is innocent?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fled together." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was a perfect sample of the class. soul! here is her carriage at the door." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it,