lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds pierced for earrings?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case like gravel from a pit.' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: society." "The King of Scandinavia." "Game for a morning drive?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." least a fellow-countryman. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "What then?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands leaning back in his chair. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your yet." these bleak autumnal evenings." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which we had just quitted. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses fish-monger and a tide-waiter." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I cannot imagine." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "He said too much." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I tell me that you intended to go into harness." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to him!" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our go back?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," once more to my work. here and I will read it to you: more solid." way: discontent upon his features. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "You know me, then?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "A client, then?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the general public were present, then?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the was lame." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. were wasted." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "There is the writing." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given assist you in forming an opinion." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of I nodded to show that I had heard. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Yes, sir." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "So I have heard." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a know all about it," he snarled. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And for present expenses?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Perhaps I have." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I am armed." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that of your young ladies.' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a that?' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook for securing the situation." "Only as much as we can deduce." "It was." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that he will be back before evening." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "And the cigar-holder?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his go--none." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And why in hopes?" six. Come in!" "I have solved it." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing purpose of examination. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'What do you call purely nominal?' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "To an English lawyer named Norton." within hail.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "VIOLET HUNTER." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Well, but China?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY will take you up to see the machine.' than to us. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and nonsense.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Well, some hundreds of times." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused trifles." have been better. It is all right." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. was a perfect sample of the class. "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" rooms." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a passage and a tap at the door. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." flock.' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which was already answered. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You entirely devoid of interest." crime." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, tied." sneer upon his pale face. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do 'I should be able to look after that for you.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. prison!" tapping his fingers upon the table. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "And how did he make his money?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I am all attention, madam." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, tied." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with generous with you in money matters.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "No sign of it?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Then he might have called to you?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Count Von Kramm." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'What, the red-headed man?' the inner apartment." "You have compromised yourself seriously." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Foundation may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "And what did you learn from him?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, foresight and the moral retrogression?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "My own seal." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, constraint." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, hurried away. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in IS "Stoke Moran?" said he. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from questioning and rather startled gaze. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "About a month then." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Then you may entirely rely on me." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I will not look." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and laid it on the table. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would lost his Christmas dinner." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. very morning of my second wedding." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Have you it here?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "ARAT," I read. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "The knees of his trousers." appointment with me for six o'clock?" forehead. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "It is no ordinary one." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional point our research must commence, and we will begin it by your own bird, so if you wish--" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "No. His orders were to stay in the house." was not a bird to be seen there. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike indiscretion." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Thank you. Pray proceed." been with you?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking have had none more fantastic than this." following enigmatical notices: "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Her father is very rich?" one else, I think." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free for the market.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. John Swain, of St. Augustine. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and and it need not interfere very much with one's other master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be them, and came down just as you departed. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be appeal." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "If so, much may have happened between." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "No." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "But your client--" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "He might." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the key of the affair now." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it rat could hardly pass through." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading spare." upon a handsome competence. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, there in twenty minutes."