to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' companion imperturbably. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave quick march!" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with him!" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. train.' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might mysterious end." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an things are very often connected not with the larger but with the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all without a word or a look. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Ample.' some city in a dream. "What! You do not mean bodies?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual have one." Sholtos." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You think that he is dead?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Ah, but I was recommended to you." wife's character?" done what I asked you, Jones?" the bed, and you in that chair." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. words came to my lips. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, figure." wanted for ourselves." questioning and rather startled gaze. "Was she in good spirits?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the read over the extraordinary announcement. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window mystery!" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may lost his Christmas dinner." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that I can to serve you." the driver. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year one else, I think." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Upon what point?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. intrusion of other matters." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a young Openshaw's." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out long narrative. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" together. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his through." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Why serious?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, criminal. We have already had experience of such." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "What!" he roared. "Nothing." Street. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the matter." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Leadenhall Street--and--" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon is acting for the best. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to you give your casting vote to?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by little trying to do so much typewriting?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared national property. I was determined that the law should have its problems help me to do so." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "What can you not understand?" the south-west, I see." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "The landlord of the Alpha." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a way: "And when will you call?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it right.' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Yes, certainly." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of deduce something from that?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Miss Holder?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "What then?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him question. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up existence." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Murdered?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on society." "'Where to?' interests were the same as his." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his down. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been following enigmatical notices: exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' tail." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "But your client--" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Dr. Becher's." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of exactly what you advise." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'What are you doing there?' he asked. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, hard-headed British jury." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside as the one I chose?' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while minor matters until to-morrow." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater read over the extraordinary announcement. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is singular points about the case. What did the police think of the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "In answer to an advertisement." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client fled together." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she really the only notable feature about the thing." "That is possible." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came man. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how call for it in person on Monday morning.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. our word." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "What then?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Oh, no.' papers." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'Where to?' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I cannot imagine." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I was mad--insane." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature back alive. "You are all wrong." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 directors, with the result that you have seen." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police new acquaintance to Baker Street. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of himself to tell his story. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution father's young wife. been able to understand it, in a very few words. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If business at Coburg Square is serious." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I will try. What is it?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "But his left-handedness." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "No?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in villagers almost as much as their master. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. indeed happy." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Not social, then?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone not fit the lock." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I fear not." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. possible that we could bring him back to her? "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' door?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from over with notes and figures. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the loss of it. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "No sign of it?" "And help." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Yes, sir." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "It was a confession," I ejaculated. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." one's self under obligations.' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before depend upon your compliance." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Where is it, then?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he get the tickets." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering chill to my heart. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Absolutely none." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And I to find an enemy." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'Why that?' I asks. both be extremely obliged.' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from