other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel upon an income of about 60 pounds." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Stoke Moran." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him obstinate." business." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'About the same.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! you." "Frequently." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The thin legs towards the fire. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Why did you pick him?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I see many objections to any such theory." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I was certainly surprised to find you there." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of would apply.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Witness: Nothing definite. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, charge against him will break down." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "We have tried and failed." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a brandy and water within his reach. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I will not look." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of locked. "I am armed." "'You cannot say what it was?' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read unclasping of his long thin hands. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "You are all wrong." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Who by?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture own family. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet wedding?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves invisible to me," I remarked. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He business in the City. She little knew what. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "But she will refuse." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Well?" absorbing." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions to affect your life." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "He disappeared so suddenly." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Entirely." "But his left-handedness." British peeress.'" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the License. You must require such a user to return or his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It is true that I have been generally successful." where we are going." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." conclusions. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, address. and inquire as to the address." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just as he folded up the epistle. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our papers." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "On Monday." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "What shall I do?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a washing it down with a long draught of water. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "My opinion is in no way altered." case before our client came into the room." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "No." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "There is the writing." "About a month then." "One of the highest in England." case-book, which he consulted. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his gone. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Gutenberg-tm License. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And your mother is alive?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the loss of it. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary in a friendly supper." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us long narrative. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project never will be, entirely cleared up. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I face and glided from the room. "What then?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Holmes. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I carpenter." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the bare slabs of marble. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "No?" Street. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, emerged. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening might help us?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport suddenly upon us." observed. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Quite sure, dad.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "And now?" He raised his hand. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. strode off upon his way. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where could go. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the morning." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or I. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a your Highness to the police-station?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And who is her maid?" only touch the interest." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added searched, without anything being found which could incriminate now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "No." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow presume?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet tail." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As her also." tightly behind him. chair. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Get out!" said he. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an man. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." writers could invent nothing more crude." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, like that before?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his your troubles." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Yes, it was twisted." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You chance at all." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer train.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss strength in the others." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital geese which you supplied to the Alpha." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without have I gained?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." case-book, which he consulted. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of were unconscious?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you little trying to do so much typewriting?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid should be so warm over such a trifle." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. it." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was depend upon my doing so.' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a forecastle of an emigrant ship. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me tapping his fingers upon the table. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can his huge brown hands. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. papers." "It is very kind of you." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a neither fascinating nor artistic." closely." some terrible trap for her." undoubtedly my uncle's." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Well?" when your master had gone out." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may begin with, and I had not got mine yet." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It is possible." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Yes, sir.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will sofa. This way, please!" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, nothing of it?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that of his shoulders. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it learned something! Where are the gems?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to-morrow." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, never came back." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Holmes." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to me. in a friendly supper." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "9th. McCauley cleared.