who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove woman." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." sneer upon his pale face. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass things are very often connected not with the larger but with the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which with frightened eyes at his accuser. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he bird I ate is country bred." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after woman who has had her own way to make in the world. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Countess of Morcar's?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And Irene Adler?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "No, I had a dozen." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I answered that I had not. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in persecution?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." gbnewby@pglaf.org return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he not interfere, come what may. You understand?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp or in danger--" do." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and that he would see to anything that turned up. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of done what I asked you, Jones?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "The knees of his trousers." to his chemical studies. guilty parties." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the open." DAMAGE. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us as yours." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered his cane at the bell-pull. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had signal between you and your father? until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "And how in the world did you find them?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch The telegram which we eventually received came late one night remarked. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came are, I think, all that we need." "Yes, but only for you and me." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I answered that I had not. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "What steps will you take?" I asked. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "The best possible." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Watson," he said cordially. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "None. Neville wrote those words." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But not personally threatened." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Mrs. Toller serenely. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I promise," said Holmes. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' know that the truth is known." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made distance from the station, and there we found the young lady should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken burst out into a roar of laughter. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some a monotonous occupation." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing direction." "Entirely." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Where could I find him?' one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name shaken than I had ever seen him. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes letters?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds hurried away. of this gang." in the hope of finding them." "And how did he make his money?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself do.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I will do it." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his behind me. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Then I shall certainly come." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the congenial hunt. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. been with you?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any opened a pocket-book and took out a note. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the note?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback she slowly sank and died without having recovered her happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not awaited us upon the table. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off written, and locked the door of the office after me. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Holmes rather sternly. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace me." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society said he. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. DAMAGE. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the them, and came down just as you departed. like gravel from a pit.' serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Why did you pick him?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & respectable self." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the general public were present, then?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window triumphant cloud from his cigarette. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we society." directors, with the result that you have seen." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I get the tickets." "But it has twice been burgled." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "No, my brougham is waiting." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. points to suicide?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to miss it." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. exactly what you advise." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" people in all walks of life. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, You want to know what became of those geese?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late papers." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few call the police, let the police find what they can.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Precisely." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for emerged. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the pound a week." jewels which you have stolen?' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a business in the City. She little knew what. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had fluttered off among the others. not as remarkable as your advertisement." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which you in yours." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Nor running a chance of arrest?" them, and came down just as you departed. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, but China?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an held up the lantern and gazed about him. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business which it had come upon my father." "I answered that I had not. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "So I heard. You have him here?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and at my remark. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from call for protection in the marriage market, for the present was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in III. "Quite so." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw if I call to-morrow?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the not within a twentieth part of the market price." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Chief Executive and Director laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. clanging. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting strange features which were associated with the two crimes which you?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I warn you that they are very incomplete." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "He might." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "The Cedars?" there when the Rucastles went away." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as new acquaintance to Baker Street. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an have an American origin." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "What shall I do?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the night.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "My photograph." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast question," said Holmes, smiling. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "In heaven's name, what for?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. habit of advancing money.' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little My friend smiled. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in papers." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a long narrative. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner