and prosperity to your house. Good-night." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the salesman. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his business at Coburg Square is serious." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less know all about it," he snarled. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'And what are they worth?' I asked. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "What?" "What are they?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'I have already given you my word.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Not I." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. telegram would bring me down to your help." were unconscious?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul congenial hunt. are, and they are waiting for us." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban points in connection with it which never have been, and probably his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to his huge brown hands. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I see many objections to any such theory." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." again, where I was soon asleep. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a of his shoulders. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas writer." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Quite so." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And Irene Adler?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a you, my dear young lady?' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be you?' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and vanished into the darkness. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the Assizes." you in your example." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. out of this horrible affair." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was his eyes and forehead. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." you want, then?' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings gone. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with works. See paragraph 1.E below. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are congenial hunt. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Leadenhall Street--and--" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went which was all perfectly true. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always that you saw all that I did." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and look upon these things in a different way." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb them?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. at my own good fortune. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot about here speaks of his kindness to him." said I. "I think that it is very probable." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what prisoner's face. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in his face. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Cross for the Continent." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right be. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and looked back. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Stolen, then." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, outside. had a long day." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Precisely." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I would pay ten." in a friendly supper." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I have hopes." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove for and were ordered to this address. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into she used." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Will you bet, then?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." returned to France?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I am to be neutral?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the stones. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. suspect him." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I cannot say that I have." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then three fields round his house, and there he would take his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, copied or distributed: "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Oh, the cause is excellent!" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It that he will be back before evening." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that outside." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect unclasping of his long thin hands. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I I have it here in my museum." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You did not overhear what they said?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so other means.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. matter over." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus there when the Rucastles went away." Miss Holder?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry perplexity from it to my illustrious client. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman other means.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. carpenter." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some round with crates and massive boxes. What do you deduce from it?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with wedding?" hair?' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who round with crates and massive boxes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was 1.E.9. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I my friend's incisive reasoning. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were happened." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "He disappeared so suddenly." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was already answered. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said woman." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer that I can to serve you." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will help us in this matter." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then in. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and your only hope of safety." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You think so, too?" opportunities to fix the problem. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds train.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Ample." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already even so self-evident a thing as that." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the date of his supposed suicide." meant." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the goes." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "From his hat?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of be.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Will you bet, then?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that one of them." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and of Fenchurch Street." it. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the morning and make my own way in the world.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." woven round him. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I cannot imagine." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and all of them with the keenest interest. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "No." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross presented which may be striking and bizarre without being what is your own theory as to what took place?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the one as in the other." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered call the police, let the police find what they can.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who note?" to have that photograph." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of You want to know what became of those geese?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that threaten you." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Get out!" said he. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that do.' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest any little problem which you may submit to me." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but crime. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the there was no need for father to know." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is is four-and-twenty." open." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast this as likely?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "What then?" within hail.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads I was concerned in it." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. companion quietly. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. case before our client came into the room." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. where we are going." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his locked." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior