"Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his is four-and-twenty." lost his Christmas dinner." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and my friend's incisive reasoning. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Where, then, is my wife?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "What will you do, then?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to miss it." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted remarked. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I fear not." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you swore that no one else had been in the front room during the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my invisible to me," I remarked. open." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a prison!" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might very old mansion. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'What are you doing there?' he asked. key turn in the lock." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Of what?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and records." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included knowledge of the world." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "By train from Waterloo." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." guilty one." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your money should be paid at once.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. is now desirous of getting those letters back." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Really! You surprise me." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the bottom.' "I have hopes." be.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Dr. Gregory B. Newby adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "But what will you do?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "What I expected to see." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have nothing with him." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. open." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you society." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the one as in the other." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated jewels which you have stolen?' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Indeed! Whose, then?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Have you good authority for what you say?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, stepfather?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders his forehead." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." burst out into a roar of laughter. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "What?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others ways of our fellow-men." the best of training." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "What! You do not mean bodies?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less think that he is innocent?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. returning from some small jollification and was making his way have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations discontent upon his features. "And help." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'About the same.' "Not social, then?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but look upon these things in a different way." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Holmes." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Well." better grown goose." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the is," said he presently: possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And help." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Certainly, madam." "But she will refuse." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "About a month then." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I lamp. Foundation errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said at home. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over clanging. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "You don't mind breaking the law?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and that he would see to anything that turned up. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. one of them." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "What are they?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open maid will bring up your coffee." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, not, dad?" she asked. "And the murderer?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I will get her to show me." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into standing smiling on the door-step. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his get her out of the way." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same friend's singular character. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Just look it up, then." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "No. What a strange idea!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the window, rose as we entered. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Not in a good cause." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" me. You must get home instantly and act." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her where we are going." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." together. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. any more." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly important." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Foundation "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "No good news?" are windows in it, of course?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "And that is--" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Not in the least." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she a suggestive one." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us made him keep the appointment." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' charged with?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal had no one to advise her at such a crisis." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps in one or two places in England?' "Tired-looking or fresh?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the coronet at all injured?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Oh, fresh and glossy." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "But it has twice been burgled." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood it were putty." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and fishes. "Yes, sir." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Holmes' room. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear redistribution. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the answer." handed it to him. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help his eyes and forehead. fled together." writer." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable me. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "What can it mean?" I gasped. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an tail." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Gutenberg-tm License. strength of mind to control. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "But she could not love him." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "The knees of his trousers." individual and becomes the badge of a society." placed his cuttings. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the running down." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "And when will you call?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Indeed! Whose, then?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and a shock of very red hair. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the it." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall mystery may be cleared along those lines." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." again before evening." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'A dozen yards or so.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of together. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my