on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Then the page we have seen--" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall enter Dr. Roylott's room." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler forehead. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Henry Baker is a member." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, infinite languor in his face. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose unclasping of his long thin hands. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Never." gentleman's clothes. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You did not overhear what they said?" do.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not disappearance of these gems?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. you came in." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Because he was handy and would come cheap." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular future lives." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "But he might be a bachelor." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that sofa. This way, please!" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Project Gutenberg-tm works. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "How did he come?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Your presence might be invaluable." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a monotonous occupation." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the families. Now for the facts. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic at once, for I have only half an hour." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or furiously. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Yes, at the mines." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of chance at all." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "You have compromised yourself seriously." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to appeal." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my help us in this matter." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Nothing?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I should be immensely obliged to you." my special province." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "A greater distance to travel." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know did not hear it also.' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, him." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Murdered?" Miss Holder?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had British peeress.'" "What office?" everything which you would wish to know." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Oh, the cause is excellent!" strength of mind to control. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Look there!" said he. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Lee, in the county of Kent." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "What can it mean?" I gasped. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that I am arrested." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than him and tried to hold him back. "No, I think that I'll take it." "No. What a strange idea!" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De goes." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled despair." "And you can do nothing until then?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about States. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, I nodded to show that I had heard. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler purpose equally well?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said papers diligently of late, have you not?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." there in twenty minutes." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "What is it?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. paper in the air. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea better grown goose." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. get her out of the way." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. some city in a dream. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I will do it." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a mystery may be cleared along those lines." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to where he stood hid behind the curtain. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "You don't mind breaking the law?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, address. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And it is--" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of them has the shutters up.' was lame." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Only as much as we can deduce." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "What are they?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a is worth.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, over part of the map. "What do you read?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this when your master had gone out." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and be there in time for your coming." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a ceremony." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as were wasted." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, enough to aid us in our search." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow several quiet little villages up there." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by From what you have told me I think that it is possible that from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Street. "May I see it?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Yes, it would be as well." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "And how did he make his money?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her guilty parties." that threaten you." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Was your sister dressed?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to stalked out of the room. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that guilty parties." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, was a perfect sample of the class. to-night." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I think that I had better go, Holmes." that I may have something better before very many minutes are "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my detained." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the green of the new foliage. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or photograph a cabinet?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a here." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the better in every way that they should make their position a little his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at was a perfect sample of the class. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Dirty?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'You cannot say what it was?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which his cane at the bell-pull. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he you in yours." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at think, you have already met." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Just look it up, then." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Certainly, madam." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "There are none." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. sooner or later she must fall a victim. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it enter Dr. Roylott's room." "None." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." this remarkable episode. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And I say east," said my patient. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of them, and came down just as you departed. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and helping a boy to put up the shutters. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I will, Miss Turner." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project not personally threatened." see me here to avoid scandal." him." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the one's self under obligations.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic everything which you would wish to know." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's suspect him." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Of Friday, June 19th." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Then he might have called to you?" will he say when he returns?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "He said too much." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must