on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "What!" he roared. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "What have you to say now?" suspect him." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hurried away. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last here." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a you." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could you do it in twenty minutes!' hereditary King of Bohemia." "'In my own bureau.' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'What are you doing there?' he asked. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "A confidential servant?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "It was an hour's good drive." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "But how will you look?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, true." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. details." The events in question occurred in the early days of my He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire that you saw all that I did." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the there has been an enclosure here!" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the so-precious time, but come!' "What!" he roared. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'And what salary do you ask?' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "You think that he is dead?" name is different." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were a monotonous occupation." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Yes." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and all of them with the keenest interest. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all strength." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is case before our client came into the room." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever served to weaken the effect. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" directly by questioning you." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to guilty parties." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has directly by questioning you." amused." one's self under obligations.' interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up cheerful." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. call the police, let the police find what they can.' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" closing the door. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have DISSOLVED. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to more terrible than the truth. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and manager. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a that I am arrested." call you and give you the chance." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my at a side door. followed. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'What do you call purely nominal?' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You know me, then?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their with you alone." signal between you and your father? should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your of your young ladies.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just any little problem which you may submit to me." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with was shining brightly. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the house with me." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "No, I am descending." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, License. You must require such a user to return or until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Then you may be so with me." to some other building. you for a few hours?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the interest. They are important, you understand, without being methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. them?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "To an English lawyer named Norton." "What! Had he lost his wife?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But how will you look?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "But I have heard all that you have heard." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Only as much as we can deduce." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I should wish to." at my remark. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" business matters.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my been deceived." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Which are?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each one or two very singular points about this room. For example, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured never to learn it at all." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she unclasping of his long thin hands. questioning and rather startled gaze. has little to do with my story." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "And help." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "You saw the ventilator, too?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Then, how do you know?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately business matters.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to me. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was less than 26s. 4d. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the date of his supposed suicide." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense strode off upon his way. humiliation." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an minor matters until to-morrow." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But society." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "One of his hands." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. as the one I chose?' "I never have." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in States. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country these bleak autumnal evenings." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the disturbance in my wife." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to surprise her." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are call for protection in the marriage market, for the present foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Yes. He waved his hands." child?' lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when trifles." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we all?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "In heaven's name, what for?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "It missed him, then?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so key of the affair now." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts you." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold distinguish the words: day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." papers." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "We have tried and failed." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Holmes, the busybody!" ready to-morrow?' reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his memory. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue she used." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. yourselves in at night?" gone before you can get him to hospital." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My hardly wander." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the outsides of the windows. "Then I am your man." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was compunction about shooting them down." empty. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but or other trace. But how on earth--" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Pray continue your narrative." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched way in." "'Yes, it was gone.' your equipment. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very down in his armchair and closing his eyes. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you as this. Pray let me have the details." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone II. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings seven miles from Eyford Station.' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of lips." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "What! Had he lost his wife?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Well, but China?" "How do you know, then?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year it." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend take the flies, but not before." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. His name is Francis Prosper." about here speaks of his kindness to him." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the chambers. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" important." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up sofa. This way, please!" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which