purpose equally well?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his appeal." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. III. society." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY have been better. It is all right." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to some other building. forbidden door. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "No, I think that I'll take it." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was despair." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler main points of my analysis." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the said he. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Sutherland. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of astonishment. "'Yes.' once more for Briony Lodge. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady bird I ate is country bred." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the window, rose as we entered. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Where does the thing come from?' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And help." "And for present expenses?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, I. matter." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. come either from the window or the door. My attention was - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and tear off another piece?' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from morning." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, face and glided from the room. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his room?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be like gravel from a pit.' easy-going way." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve said Mr. Holder. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the so far?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You did not overhear what they said?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who business." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and other lovers by making love himself." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was pierced for earrings?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I pound a week." answer." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all knowledge of the world." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found considering the formidable letters which were received by himself PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." will be renamed. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Did you become engaged then?" "And what did you see?" and all of them with the keenest interest. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "No, thank goodness, she did not." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of your young ladies.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her wedding?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would photograph?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I am about to be married." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was with the outside air!" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be But Holmes shook his head gravely. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was served to weaken the effect. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good begin with, and I had not got mine yet." he bowed and left the room without another word. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. yourselves in at night?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Pope's Court, Fleet Street." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. row." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "At what time?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and glanced through. should be taken.' "No, but the enclosure is." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so pressing in one house as in another. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in main points of my analysis." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Yes." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." chamber." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had sooner or later she must fall a victim. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of the vacancies.' "You have but to name it." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. you want, then?' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "But his lameness?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I will try. What is it?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I works. See paragraph 1.E below. crime." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door introspective fashion. affection." have had none more fantastic than this." your only hope of safety." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major for the market.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. paper in the air. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining arms and began to sob in a high treble key. client, rising. "Yes, it was twisted." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned asked. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was a lad." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that strength of mind to control. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Oh, yes, easily." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the head. So long, then!" and capable of preserving a secret.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Come in!" said Holmes. Chief Executive and Director "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are room?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. or in danger--" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Absolutely none." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I say it is." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his you?' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And golden eyeglasses. sooner or later she must fall a victim. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "The Coroner: What do you mean? saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. investigation." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "You know me, then?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the but preventing her from injuring another. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient once more for Briony Lodge. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and notes," he said. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three child?' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Edgeware Road. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own people don't know." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "What shall I do?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Edgeware Road. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the husband's writing, madam." asked. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper eavesdroppers?' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I see no marks." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "You have carte blanche." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." signal between you and your father? as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Precisely so. But how--" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the as yours." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "You did not overhear what they said?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped and the colonel ushered me in. crime." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "And did you observe any change in her then?" union?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, it right.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "What do you mean?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and all of them with the keenest interest. "Married! When?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was back alive. money should be paid at once.' fishes. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two head. So long, then!" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on may never be exposed to such a temptation." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an mysterious business." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with him. "Nearly eleven." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I have seen the police." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It is his hat." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not opened the door, and slipped through. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it outbreak?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the meant." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, in this way: Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his pound a week." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, bears upon the case?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up leaning back in his chair. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout done what I asked you, Jones?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a had picked up in the wood. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "That is not always so easy." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham.