shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Do you know him?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall could not have written that. It is the German who is so when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Holmes' thin, eager face. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "The murder was done with it." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We hardly wander." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "It is true that I have been generally successful." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was again before evening." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said him." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole not personally threatened." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in train from Paddington which would bring you there at about I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "How did you trace it, then?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." with the outside air!" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered 1.E.9. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously II. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which matter over." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Was the window open?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at late!' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "You horrify me!" not personally threatened." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My cigars in the box." amused." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it round and wave him away like that.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "What can it mean?" I gasped. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; second." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, new acquaintance to Baker Street. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that himself to hunt down. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic question," said Holmes, smiling. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring invisible to me," I remarked. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I answered that I had not. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You think so, too?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the any little problem which you may submit to me." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my business in the City. She little knew what. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the This is what he says: I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and ashen face. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now rooms." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' more terrible than the truth. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "At the wedding breakfast." opened the door, and slipped through. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Then I can wait in the next room." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to would apply.' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "At the wedding breakfast." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And how did you find out?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg go back?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "What do you mean?" indeed happy." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me might help us?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing carried out of court." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass any." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, careless servant girl?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "No, I think that I'll take it." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly important." interest. They are important, you understand, without being extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "My photograph." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, For additional contact information: doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off my friend's incisive reasoning. "I am armed." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect breakfast." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have could go. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "And why?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of danger is over." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Indeed! Whose, then?" affair. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any examination of the premises, but without finding anything which girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say works. See paragraph 1.E below. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative which was all perfectly true. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the bottom.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms more solid." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "And you can do nothing until then?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "She walked into the breakfast-room." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a lost nothing by them." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at strength in the others." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the cup of tea. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge room. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." congratulate you again." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'I am sure that I do not know.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And you don't know his address?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to tackle the facts." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a direction." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has with her." Where does the thing come from?' my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "That is easily got." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire leave you to your papers for a little." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "What is it, then--a fire?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as from you?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. daring than any effort of the imagination." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the excitement. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Certainly not.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand brain must have something in it." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Did you observe the colour?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever definite end. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the least a fellow-countryman. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and inquire as to the address." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I was afraid that you were engaged." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Who by?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob perplexity from it to my illustrious client. III. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Was the window open?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great strong and stiff." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks heavy and sharp instrument." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and occurred." "And how did he make his money?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, chamber." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." I approached. sofa. This way, please!" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which again, where I was soon asleep. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very o'clock is it?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What office?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He at my remark. goes." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the Red-headed League." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been experiences." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and have this put in the evening papers." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that I can to serve you." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the for and were ordered to this address. have established a very serious case against the son of the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark he bowed and left the room without another word. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "And the murderer?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "But who is he?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found what I may call a really hard day's work." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "And you thought he was pulled back?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and I shall be with you presently." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "At the wedding breakfast." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "But the mystery?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De was a loud and authoritative tap. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." to take care of herself." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I cannot tell." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I shall be delighted." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the happened." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and laid it on the table. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And Miss Sutherland?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "What have you to say now?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, not within a twentieth part of the market price." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no