and put his glass in his pocket. and have this put in the evening papers." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "There is the writing." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. made his money." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of too. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, on in his house." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to-night?" I asked. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which least a most suspicious remark." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his you in your example." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the formed some opinion?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not read over the extraordinary announcement. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "How many? I don't know." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I have come for advice." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "But we can't all be." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the was it brought him the coronet? to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential weary and pale-looking. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. thin legs towards the fire. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a problems help me to do so." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a words came to my lips. "You have but to name it." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Precisely." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, one's self under obligations.' disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "No sign of it?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing were unconscious?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to said I. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to Leatherhead. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "To an end?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened What do you deduce from it?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, His name is Francis Prosper." "He said too much." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It is very clear." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Come in!" said Holmes. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his hair?' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I see no marks." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her started for the Temple to see my husband. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a pierced for earrings?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "And Miss Sutherland?" acquaintance?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Arthur Conan Doyle Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "The rest you will leave in our hands." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would where she found matters as described by the last witness. served to weaken the effect. "And is that all?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and forebodings. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "But his lameness?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Holmes' face clouded over. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn union?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, door?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "But his left-handedness." "Not particularly." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "He is still with you, I presume?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Not him." "Stolen." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the little opening for the ventilator is." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and your relations to her." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as whether it answered to the description of any of their some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we his forehead." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as father's young wife. article?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I charge against him will break down." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he deduce something from that?" and capable of preserving a secret.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? London for the present?" himself. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense carpenter." might help us?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "This photograph!" "'Then let me do so?' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'Oh, no.' hour?' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "What office?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" investigation." "I am about to be married." shall not find me ungrateful." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have colonel looking down at me. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in the hope of finding them." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "It was an hour's good drive." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey crime." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then, how do you know?" eavesdroppers?' as he remarks, very much against the son." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a writer." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and towards the blaze. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself too. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and laid it on the table. row." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Very murderous indeed." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. get her out of the way." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Ten to two.' following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a lost his Christmas dinner." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Your sister is dead, then?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "On the contrary, this is the right side." here and I will read it to you: license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Did he not advertise?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a tapping his fingers upon the table. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after was it brought him the coronet? or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court case-book, which he consulted. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set south, for the country is more deserted there." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper have established a very serious case against the son of the true." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Then you may be so with me." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You have but to name it." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I have come for advice." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It during which he might have communicated with his friend the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. During two years I have had three consultations and one small Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, straighten it?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held tightly behind him. the coronet at all injured?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "No." "I will, Miss Turner." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was whether it answered to the description of any of their child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Yes." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can careless servant girl?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that to arrive at through this?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." was feeling which was the fattest.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, I. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "The doctor?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Cross for the Continent." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite recall any case within my experience which looked at the first woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'And what are they worth?' I asked. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on he died? or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared reach." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can friend's singular character. get her out of the way." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the King without delay." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I leave you to your papers for a little." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple row." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, that I can to serve you." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "It was an hour's good drive." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to one else, I think." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might it with his own hands." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'I am sure that I do not know.' "ARAT," I read. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of should be taken.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of a light. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the