moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Stolen, then." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. sparkled upon his finger. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "9th. McCauley cleared. "And your mother is alive?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always again, where I was soon asleep. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his colour had been driven from his face. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "The Cedars?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations have established a very serious case against the son of the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And how have you succeeded?" "And Miss Sutherland?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I don't believe it." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." woven round him. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Absolutely?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Stolen." Holmes' room. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as seen the man in the road." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'Certainly not. But why?' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I will try. What is it?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him ago." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "And your father? Did you tell him?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Was he the only applicant?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "But his left-handedness." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the his eyes and forehead. the Red-headed League." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "How many? I don't know." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Yes." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "My last client of the sort was a king." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself spark where all is dark to me." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." acquaintance?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Never,' said I. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." stammered. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I emerged. where she found matters as described by the last witness. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Pray continue your narrative." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Witness: I must still refuse. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Lee, in the county of Kent." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." character. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of bird I ate is country bred." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were said I. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most completely overtopped every other consideration that we both this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Ah, but I was recommended to you." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "But you were on a friendly footing?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face excitement. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at III. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of the vacancies.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the man. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." status with the IRS. works. See paragraph 1.E below. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem someone who had been in Australia." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You have a clue?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." McCarthy." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news infinite languor in his face. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions what I may call a really hard day's work." "That is not always so easy." "No, thank goodness, she did not." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been papers." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "The landlord of the Alpha." in one or two places in England?' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Witness: It was. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his in darkness. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official man. I know him from the photograph." throat." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening cheerful." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the compunction about shooting them down." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was have one." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his was a perfect sample of the class. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in in this way: it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Not in the least." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Have you her photograph?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of yet." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Pope's Court, Fleet Street." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw was the fact that his father should, according to his account, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the inquest, and which are worth considering." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "My dear Holmes!" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the already been minutely examined." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of The events in question occurred in the early days of my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Then how many are there?" "I would pay ten." fishes. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it fuss that is made over them." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." crackling voice. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "In San Francisco, a year ago." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's spare." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass learned something! Where are the gems?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, London for the present?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw it? Did I buy the geese off you?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I answered that I had not. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "In San Francisco, a year ago." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away spare." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the coronet in his hands?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "That is easily got." "Then I can wait in the next room." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the child." clang of the bell. His smile broadened. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot breakfast and whispered something to her husband. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There affair. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez presented which may be striking and bizarre without being looking up at the numbers of the houses." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. was a lad." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made up this clue while it is still hot." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the retorted upon me, and I on you." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy house for five minutes.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in hour?' "The doctor?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "And sit in the dark?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a past. coat-tails." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice three of the beryls in it, was missing. gives a meaning to it." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. footfalls from the street. an introduction to him?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Get out!" said he. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "We have tried and failed." key turn in the lock." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to detective. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the noble correspondent could be. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw security.' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, acted in my house last night?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Mrs. Toller serenely. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to-night's adventure." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Most admirably.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I know where it is." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "That's no good." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I have my revolver," said I. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Which are?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, begun to whiten, even as mine has." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Whose house is it?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am which I could not give. He asked for Alice. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he danger is over." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Yes, only one." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. I nodded to show that I had heard. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Not in a good cause." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "You don't mind breaking the law?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong prison!" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I correct than the official force." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin his huge brown hands. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary