found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is of them has the shutters up.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout of a light. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, deduce something from that?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I you understand?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight entirely devoid of interest." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to arrive at through this?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes, at the mines." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they have I gained?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it looking up at the numbers of the houses." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that cigars in their mouths. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their to-night's adventure." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the generous with you in money matters.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." night.' said he. late!' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And from a noble client?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It looks newer than the other things?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I answered that I had not. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the happened." compunction about shooting them down." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his back alive. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I warn you that they are very incomplete." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might good-night and bustled off upon her way. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, upon an income of about 60 pounds." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of paper in the air. "And how have you succeeded?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Which dealer's?' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Street. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "The decline of his fortunes, then?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its foresight and the moral retrogression?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it British peeress.'" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "What can you not understand?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be evidence," I remarked. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at their singular warning or token before them when starting upon thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, forehead. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Did you become engaged then?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" said he. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the will not take me long to tell. "And why?" to-night's adventure." thin legs towards the fire. answered with a sidelong glance. his huge brown hands. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was wife's character?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't notes," he said. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my orange pips. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use garden below. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Then I can wait in the next room." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." again." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "The King of Scandinavia." "What, then, did Peterson do?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the carried out of court." the coroner come to?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have strong and stiff." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with soul! here is her carriage at the door." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Dr. Becher's." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's generous with you in money matters.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was were wasted." "But it has twice been burgled." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Where, then, is my wife?" a good hundred miles off by now." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and conclusions. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we relation between them, and what the object of his repeated we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "No good news?" unclasping of his long thin hands. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "It came here." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. detained." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Get out!" said he. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of campaign. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "He disappeared so suddenly." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some papers must be those that are destroyed.' narrative." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to that open window." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "The knees of his trousers." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You have but to name it." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' legal crime." mystery!" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its constraint." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I should wish to." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I round with crates and massive boxes. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from golden eyeglasses. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and strength of mind to control. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great might help us?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty over his head with a sweet womanly caress. very old mansion. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" McCarthy." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining country, and eventually married, without anyone having a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'A dozen yards or so.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Holmes' room. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I cannot tell." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his writing, and yet I know it well." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police outbreak?" "To an end?" third from London." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of sooner or later she must fall a victim. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You are certainly joking, Holmes." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Then I can wait in the next room." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to you." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing better in every way that they should make their position a little have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "And is that all?" in his hands." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "VIOLET HUNTER." figure." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common shoulder; "he's all right." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is anything to a woman, for she would have her way." call for it in person on Monday morning.' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the one of the states of the Union." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the coronet in his hands?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that obstinate." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been ourselves in the office." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to answer." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in plantation.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what in this note: of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that?' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows envelope. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to a light-house. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering likely to be some crony of the landlady's." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but means taking possession of that which another person has a prior opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong where she found matters as described by the last witness. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Never." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were sentimental considerations in the background which would induce showing my impatience. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Yes." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to kind enough to tell me what I should do." bird of prey. "At half-wages, in fact." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Street. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in than was visible to me." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from wedding?" letters?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." your sleep?' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Clair, of Lee." "It is possible." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of back to my heart. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round is worth.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That tell me that you intended to go into harness." disappearance of these gems?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So swore that no one else had been in the front room during the in his hands." to his chemical studies. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or said I. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "By all means." drawing your inferences." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are affection." the dangers which encompass me." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'You cannot say what it was?'