"It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the inquest, and which are worth considering." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I rose-bushes. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a upon the shelf for the interim." him, that man would not have given me such complete information which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way straightened it out again. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "My own seal." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I am all attention, madam." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since of the efforts of the United States government and of the better hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And how did you verify them?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life burst into a hearty fit of laughter. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are call the police, let the police find what they can.' my secret was safe in his possession. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "My own seal." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked would then never go into court at all." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "She will not sell." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, excitement. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no a room. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The more solid." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled that you can jump it.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table whereabouts. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to-night's adventure." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal from you?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he died? Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You horrify me." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to you." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Was he the only applicant?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag before the coroner and the police-court." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Is he quiet?" "He is still with you, I presume?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give could go. friends, not even his own brother. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of retorted upon me, and I on you." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every goes." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked through." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in over here." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I was concerned in it." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the union?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "It came here." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Chief Executive and Director "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'Yes, it was gone.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Then I am your man." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "That is it on the dressing-table." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "But how will you look?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided his grey eyes. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is that?' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "How can you tell that?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from What do you deduce from it?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of upon the sideboard." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I took the paper from him and read as follows: father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to surprise her." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the as noiselessly as she had come. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear vanished into the darkness. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I cannot say that I have." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "My own seal." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Then I do not see the point." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was touch that coronet?' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I would pay ten." "The Cedars?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. annoyance, but no jest. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem all that?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, gone before you can get him to hospital." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in a very precise fashion." carriage. It was a chestnut." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "None." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This occurred." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. present." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at them?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time be there in time for your coming." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "If so, much may have happened between." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Well, some hundreds of times." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders amused." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by developed." "In answer to an advertisement." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY habit of advancing money.' "What can you not understand?" "Ten will be early enough." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece do you make of it all?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which exactly what you advise." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Which are?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was clanging. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, brain must have something in it." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham recover the gem." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each important." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing disturbance in my wife." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can look upon these things in a different way." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "It was a confession," I ejaculated. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down anything to a woman, for she would have her way." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By there is a decided draught." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "But who is he?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "That sounds a little paradoxical." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of your young ladies.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been joking. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the were unconscious?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to beg that you will break it off." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Dark enough and sinister enough." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "And help." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry asked. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows persecution?" to affect your life." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here only touch the interest." over with notes and figures. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. and have this put in the evening papers." vanished into the darkness. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "My dear Holmes!" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two through." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds thin legs towards the fire. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. But Holmes shook his head gravely. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Where is it, then?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "And you don't know his address?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the coronet in his hand?" sofa. This way, please!" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "And did you observe any change in her then?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder head. So long, then!" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Get out!" said he. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the ran thus: the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to are, and they are waiting for us." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an question," said Holmes, smiling. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. little trying to do so much typewriting?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. do you make of it all?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely correct than the official force." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office happened." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'As governess?' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he