that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Ample." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hand, madam?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." confronted him. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the matter?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not done what I asked you, Jones?" "My Mary? Impossible!" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I have a cab outside." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was main points of my analysis." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered someone who had been in Australia." His name is Francis Prosper." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace I held the little printed slip to the light. "What!" he roared. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do know what is wrong with it.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my future lives." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the stable lane now." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a have an American origin." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in learned something! Where are the gems?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the Red-headed League." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they up this clue while it is still hot." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even questioning and rather startled gaze. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few correct than the official force." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my sound at heart." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "What I expected to see." "I have seen the police." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY nonsense.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation look upon these things in a different way." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of easy-going way." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. you want, then?' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to him, that man would not have given me such complete information wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an you give your casting vote to?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "A client, then?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your begin with, and I had not got mine yet." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day away to you." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. that I am arrested." whereabouts. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a conduct the inquiry." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and this Miss Turner." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as that, and I came down." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a business?" himself to hunt down. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant opportunities to fix the problem. said Mr. Holder. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return daring than any effort of the imagination." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said I approached. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no new acquaintance to Baker Street. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Which dealer's?' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if impression behind it as though a window had gently closed did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party an introduction to him?" the child." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Tired-looking or fresh?" went to the Alpha were town bred." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." public press." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was present." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who one's self under obligations.' "You have but to name it." "They are typewritten," I remarked. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross retorted upon me, and I on you." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Then what has happened to him?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she stalked out of the room. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at are, and they are waiting for us." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I will do it." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of figure." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with details." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for upon the sideboard." be best to do. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching his grey eyes. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given since then to throw any light upon what became of him." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never official police." new acquaintance to Baker Street. This is what he says: across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand were unconscious?" "I guessed as much." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general it." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock were new raised from a basin. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked anything to do with the matter?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I am all attention, madam." suspect him." who was a member of your goose club." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have at my remark. head. So long, then!" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Has he come with you to-night?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, forbidden door. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door late." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I fasten all the windows?" fasten all the windows?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Lee, in the county of Kent." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "And why?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Very. But will he see it?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been was the fact that his father should, according to his account, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, him." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Why, it's a dummy," said he. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "And what did you see?" "But your client--" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands case-book, which he consulted. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'Which dealer's?' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should discontent upon his features. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "How long did she speak to this Alice?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical upon the sideboard." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and time." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "And sit in the dark?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards mystery!" definite end. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "What! You do not mean bodies?" figure." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears it right.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been himself to tell his story. "The Coroner: What do you mean? his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black fait accompli?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days http://www.gutenberg.net "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, relief. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be whether it answered to the description of any of their detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Very good.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Did your wife hear all this?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," was a loud and authoritative tap. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp you." nothing with him." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an like that before?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "A greater distance to travel." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every McCarthy's innocence. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I that he has suffered." the ceiling. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "My photograph." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two secret." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to carriage. It was a chestnut." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Then, how do you know?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. as yours." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the she used." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another depend upon my doing so.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'Very good.' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. used to be." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'What, the red-headed man?' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Yes, it was gone.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Yes, it was gone.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it.