questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Pray do so." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast sentimental considerations in the background which would induce sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "And how did you find out?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally been lifted and conveyed somewhere." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, money should be paid at once.' "What will you do, then?" know what is wrong with it.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Then, as to money?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not off." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for meant it for the best. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." see me here to avoid scandal." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler next day. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Yes, only one." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then approach us with offers to donate. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on get her out of the way." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his excitement. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away in this note: waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door a very grave face. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A figure." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which evidence," I remarked. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink night.' said he. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I am still in the dark." tell him that I know him to be innocent." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. pound a week." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of I was concerned in it." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just unprecedented a position." "So I am. Very much so." "Not in the least." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker passage and a tap at the door. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very really the only notable feature about the thing." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had your equipment. in the hope of finding them." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a whole matter to your consideration." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to quite distinctive." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few friend's singular character. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business you for a few hours?" himself to hunt down. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You were travelling in the States?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that kind enough to tell me what I should do." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." weapon." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Pray tell us what has happened to you." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an undoubtedly my uncle's." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "What! Had he lost his wife?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "No." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "What are they?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle I approached. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for chamber." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Of Friday, June 19th." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with room had already been engaged for us. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had gives a meaning to it." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, business at Coburg Square is serious." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Not social, then?" "'Certainly,' I answered. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Never.' "And now?" I asked. "One of the highest in England." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "What can you not understand?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "That also I could fathom." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the little opening for the ventilator is." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and fasten all the windows?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to go from here to the Strand." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his with some details as to your case." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which formed some opinion?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "The Coroner: What do you mean? singular points about the case. What did the police think of the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend to arrive at through this?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who could go. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in said he at last. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "No, I think that I'll take it." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there or in danger--" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I newspaper selections." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and his face which made him a very different person to the round, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, just called myself is not exactly my own." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I am still in the dark." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "But to whom?" opportunities to fix the problem. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for system of imprisonment?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I never have." "'How far from the body?' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as weigh very heavily upon my conscience." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Then, as to money?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your views." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and stepfather?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and that I may have something better before very many minutes are from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same I. in a friendly supper." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw both be extremely obliged.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." over here." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the King without delay." "The doctor?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly records." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Foundation strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I am following you closely," I answered. one of the states of the Union." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "None. Neville wrote those words." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is developed." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know unclasping of his long thin hands. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the seem to you to be relevant or not." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Eyford at 11:15.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Sutherland?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that emerged. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be British peeress.'" I was concerned in it." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our been." that there was nothing in it, after all." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "That is it on the dressing-table." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Then what has happened to him?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Texas, I think." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I am in hopes that she does." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Of what?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Really! You surprise me." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I have solved it." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man upon the sideboard." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt strong reason behind." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and inquire as to the address." girl said." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And it is--" so.' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Where is it, then?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must to-morrow." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent