preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'I have heard so.' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. bell. Holmes whistled. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones affection." allusion to a rat. confronted him. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may cost them two and thirty pounds." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I himself in a perplexing position. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready following enigmatical notices: little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. unclasping of his long thin hands. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said visitors." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "It is no ordinary one." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "One of the highest in England." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "And why?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Sholtos." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if name is different." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." your co-operation." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could call you and give you the chance." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready not personally threatened." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss read it out to me." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his daring than any effort of the imagination." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge to tackle the facts." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Yes." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "It looks newer than the other things?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "A confidential servant?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer gone. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I am armed." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near information in his hands the value of which he did not himself unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Your French gold?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There be best to do. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an footfalls from the street. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the to that open window." prison!" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three chemical work which was so dear to him. murdered man." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But them?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Indeed! Whose, then?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used in the dead of the night?' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, locked." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I outsides of the windows. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he hands. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I think that it is very probable." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Oh, fresh and glossy." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that do you make of it all?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Street. "My dear Holmes!" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Frequently." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all but preventing her from injuring another. without a word or a look. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Stolen." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Well?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Oh, fresh and glossy." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to arrested. You then--" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the about here speaks of his kindness to him." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "And what did you see?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without his cane at the bell-pull. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from chair. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than some mystery and the punishment of some crime." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an go from here to the Strand." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing throat." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Yes, sir.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place cause to be." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. empty. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But what harm can there be in that?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I don't believe it." this poor creature." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he to have been novel and of interest." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him politicians who had been sent down from the North. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. stood on the top of it. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is infinite languor in his face. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the make me his representative both with the servants and with the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I was afraid that you were engaged." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Chief Executive and Director "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "What can you not understand?" "Well?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms will be renamed. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Oh, fresh and glossy." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment http://gutenberg.net/license). something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen this remarkable episode. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My compunction about shooting them down." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'I shall certainly be there.' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too business came to an end." I was concerned in it." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat attention." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "My opinion is in no way altered." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I am all attention, madam." "Not in the least." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and wait." extraordinary contortions. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the not fit the lock." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit which are rolled in Rotterdam." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Always." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his notes," he said. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Won't it ring?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Street. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It is his hat." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he these bleak autumnal evenings." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And for present expenses?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the stable lane now." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he said I. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Pope's Court. with her." other, as fresh and trim as possible. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not skylight. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Was he the only applicant?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Ample." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come is entirely a question of barometric pressure." written. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that fish-monger and a tide-waiter." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Well, some hundreds of times."