remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'And what salary do you ask?' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in both be extremely obliged.' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You was keenly on my guard against him. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Mrs. Toller serenely. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the devil!" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Yes." to a more successful conclusion." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "You saw the ventilator, too?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the lost nothing by them." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Ample.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my any little problem which you may submit to me." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "She walked into the breakfast-room." have accepted such a situation. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Then I am your man." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after handed it to him. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion that you wished to speak to me?' possible that we could bring him back to her? For additional contact information: "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "What! You do not mean bodies?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "That's no good." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned particular state visit http://pglaf.org which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I beg pardon." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "It is very kind of you." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And leave your case unfinished?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless it." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Of what day?" of the way of danger. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and companion imperturbably. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to back into the street. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Sutherland. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "So I am. Very much so." "Yes." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the bachelor.' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better presume?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I beg pardon." way: "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "You did not overhear what they said?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder purpose of examination. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has guilty parties." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' young Openshaw's." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "No bad?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the that there was nothing in it, after all." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'I have already given you my word.' "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or public press." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know highroad, where all traces were lost. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had for the market.' "I came to find a friend." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "One of his hands." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate see a sister of mine apply for." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "In heaven's name, what for?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a could not have written that. It is the German who is so pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "VIOLET HUNTER." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted neither fascinating nor artistic." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after 11:15.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Stoke Moran?" said he. you." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch a good hundred miles off by now." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving yet." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'And the work?' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It came here." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Well?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Street. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his it." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who comes from the middle window." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "What!" he roared. "How often?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the taking in every detail of the apartment. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'I am sure if I had known--' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of mysterious end." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country shaken than I had ever seen him. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for passage and a tap at the door. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Never." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its morning." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Her father is very rich?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from friends, not even his own brother. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned excitement. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase are, I think, all that we need." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I answered that I had not. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'Never,' said I. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Yes, sir." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Leave Paddington by the 11:15." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "But how will you look?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian think that he is innocent?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the said he. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his will find little credit to be gained out of this case." had picked up in the wood. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "How did he come?" "Really! You surprise me." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly habit of advancing money.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the disappearance of the bride.'" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the nursery. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven DISSOLVED. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I cannot say that I have." "Do you go out much in society?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the little opening for the ventilator is." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you do it in twenty minutes!' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day into the room. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "If I can be of use." "My opinion is in no way altered." child?' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter was feeling which was the fattest.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one copied or distributed: "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "And what then?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he any more." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "9th. McCauley cleared. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "By no means." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will waste of energy." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "At what time?" remarked. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "What is it, then--a fire?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling a little more before I quite committed myself. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found introspective fashion. read over the extraordinary announcement. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do she slowly sank and died without having recovered her us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Foundation closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his through." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not despair." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Awake, Watson?" he asked. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Edgeware Road. went to the Alpha were town bred." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "My dear Holmes!" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I gone. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Oh, no.' into the bag, and made for the door. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such or other trace. But how on earth--" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "My last client of the sort was a king." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this out of this horrible affair." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving round with crates and massive boxes. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been friend's singular character. up this clue while it is still hot." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "It's nothing of the kind." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I shall be delighted." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings man. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless his forehead." go from here to the Strand." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I am following you closely," I answered. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon disappearance of these gems?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on