"When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. name is different." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of derbies." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after there was no need for father to know." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything right! Sit down and let us talk it over." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we yourselves in at night?" are, I think, all that we need." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake weary and pale-looking. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I mystery!" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Sholtos." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of investigation." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I held the little printed slip to the light. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been outside." it." "Here?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "No bad?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It is solved." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "A client, then?" ordinary clothes on?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she bachelor.' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You have but to name it." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was way in." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Nothing?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one criminal. We have already had experience of such." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very father's young wife. than to us. mysterious end." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. man. I know him from the photograph." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of golden eyeglasses. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, must be when I saw the door open.' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. it. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning our word." "Was the window open?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Perhaps I have." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet your billet.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my as he folded up the epistle. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I am still in the dark." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I knowledge of the world." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Do you know him?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Lee, in the county of Kent." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "But the mystery?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Her father is very rich?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Foundation bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Will you bet, then?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a strode off upon his way. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Here?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "My dear Holmes!" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save into the bag, and made for the door. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the entirely lost his self-respect." "Yes, but only for you and me." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting wedding?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'And the work?' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked there has been an enclosure here!" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Certainly." in this way: Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with putting in the horse. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of the efforts of the United States government and of the better helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other was not a bird to be seen there. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the thin legs towards the fire. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Certainly,' I answered. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the later, upon the night of May 2nd." strength of mind to control. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A present." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." daring than any effort of the imagination." telegram would bring me down to your help." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose have not had my rubber." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you invisible to me," I remarked. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Witness: It was. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and flock.' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left I leave." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and wait." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in answer." "I cannot tell." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give again before evening." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." present." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." constraint." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' were unconscious?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Of what day?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and delighted to hear it," he said. husband's writing, madam." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "But what will you do?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "VIOLET HUNTER." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to within hail.' 1.E.9. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up she slowly sank and died without having recovered her that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Quite sure, dad.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Stoke Moran." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly roused himself from his reverie. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been matter." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue morning." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter writer." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I cannot as yet see any connection." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'Which dealer's?' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from you." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Who was the criminal, then?" wanted for ourselves." "Where did he live, then?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more rat could hardly pass through." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained miles off. "And who is her maid?" it right.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time seven miles from Eyford Station.' "On Monday." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon constraint." bird of prey. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first made his money." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring ourselves in the office." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "What!" he roared. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for nothing of it?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "How did that help you?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that and prosperity to your house. Good-night." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it a room. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes, it was twisted." call you and give you the chance." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" back to my heart. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent entirely lost his self-respect." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "One of his hands." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a question. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but interests were the same as his." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of four million human beings all jostling each other within the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All that you can jump it.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the sooner or later she must fall a victim. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about soul! here is her carriage at the door." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "She told me to ask you." memory. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a towards the blaze. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have instincts rose up against that laugh. that, and I came down." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax since then to throw any light upon what became of him." matters immensely." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" mysterious end." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "None." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." visitors." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to had picked up in the wood. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all read it out to me." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us unprofitable." so far?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive carriage. It was a chestnut." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional carriage. It was a chestnut." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the loss of it. father's young wife. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Where, then?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, do." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the you came in." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of It may be so in this case, also." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Yesterday." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." of receipt of the work. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon hands. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the dangers which encompass me." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can you in your example." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to