on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a learned something! Where are the gems?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well friends, not even his own brother. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth begun to whiten, even as mine has." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Henry Baker is a member." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to surprise her." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution constraint." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from cigar and let me expound." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Thank you. Pray proceed." the King without delay." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "It is no ordinary one." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I your only hope of safety." "What do you make of that, Watson?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to that open window." "About a month then." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel certainly not very gracious." just ask you whether you had heard it.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his British peeress.'" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes During two years I have had three consultations and one small to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it in his power. here and I will read it to you: "Oh, the cause is excellent!" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'I have heard so.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Yes." Leadenhall Street--and--" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "None." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I made him keep the appointment." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the business?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "What I expected to see." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "The doctor?" returned to France?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond is acting for the best. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my room. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she The note was undated, and without either signature or address. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "How do you know, then?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be investigation." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility silent! Oh, he will be silent!' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'I am sure that I do not know.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "The knees of his trousers." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the way in." "It's nothing of the kind." Eyford." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Stoke Moran." Pool. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother window when the police appeared." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one wall." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect about here speaks of his kindness to him." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "But what is it you wish?" "A confidential servant?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in through." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her there!' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. tied." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that observed. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "What are they?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, you." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand at my remark. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Yes." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." so far?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, not fit the lock." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as was a perfect sample of the class. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune before, for it was considerably after midnight. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "That is possible." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to you?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in round and wave him away like that.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hardly wander." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "So I have heard." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up room had already been engaged for us. girl said." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER McCarthy's innocence. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Then the page we have seen--" nice household for a young lady." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Yes." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in himself in a perplexing position. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may here." it." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Sutherland?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But correct than the official force." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very it right.' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "She showed me, as I told you she would." Leadenhall Street--and--" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Does that suggest anything?" "But you have hopes?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns License. You must require such a user to return or posted to-day." "On Monday." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered I leave." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and the church but not where the lady lived." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going gentleman's clothes. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual bedroom door." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the ceiling. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Nor running a chance of arrest?" think that he is innocent?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and nights." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well golden eyeglasses. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "And on what day did he meet his death?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. quickly through a disagreeable task. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. was shining brightly. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I cannot think." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the window, rose as we entered. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It better grown goose." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down some mystery and the punishment of some crime." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But I have heard all that you have heard." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "But you can know nothing of this?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and a shock of very red hair. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Certainly." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the inquest, and which are worth considering." "He disappeared so suddenly." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our seem to you to be relevant or not." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "In San Francisco, a year ago." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Absolutely?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am eavesdroppers?' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain definite end. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat question. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. them, and came down just as you departed. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing companion. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Dark enough and sinister enough." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the room while you explain this matter?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'There is a drive, then?' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "What do you mean?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the roots. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Come in!" said he. "I have solved it." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his chemical work which was so dear to him. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. in a friendly supper." "Do you know him?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "What! You do not mean bodies?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it you do it in twenty minutes!' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Witness: I must still refuse. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and the colonel ushered me in.