"'Which dealer's?' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, character. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': charged with?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a have I gained?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the matter over." out." "Nothing." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "You think so, too?" "But it has twice been burgled." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of him. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and glanced through. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Edgeware Road. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I have solved it." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at she to prove their authenticity?" any more." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "And it is--" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, present." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of yourselves in at night?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "What then?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and presume?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. said I. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." gone. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'Yes, sir.' to me. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll undoubtedly my uncle's." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I am still in the dark." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the warnings." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. seven miles from Eyford Station.' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just extraordinary contortions. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "What, then, did Peterson do?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It came here." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "You have carte blanche." walking." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "What office?" said I. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Yes, I have one waiting." spark where all is dark to me." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the strode off upon his way. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Ah!" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend way: brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon himself in a perplexing position. "What is it, then--a fire?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the allusion to a rat. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "In heaven's name, what for?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the over part of the map. "What do you read?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, existence." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, I held the little printed slip to the light. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his useful material for showing traces. The double line a little is a common subject for conversation. "But to whom?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in one or two places in England?' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At you." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, do you make of it all?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "What shall I do?" know all about it," he snarled. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Whose house is it?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said returned to France?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the date of his supposed suicide." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Do you go out much in society?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a ourselves in the office." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and call you and give you the chance." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Not social, then?" III. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he not come at once?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic nonsense.' "But the mystery?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'Yes, I promise.' public press." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. in. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. you." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the nursery. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few knowledge of the world." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" upon the shelf for the interim." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "What do you make of that, Watson?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the to a light-house. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of mystery." "It's nothing of the kind." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was late!' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how where we are going." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "In what way?" asked Holmes. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded held up the lantern and gazed about him. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for returned to France?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side enter into my head. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Then, how do you know?" very morning of my second wedding." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind was a perfect sample of the class. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the take the flies, but not before." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me appointment with me for six o'clock?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, showing my impatience. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work laugh and put his lips to my ear. closing the door. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "What!" he roared. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "My last client of the sort was a king." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort rat could hardly pass through." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "And why?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about himself in a perplexing position. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly kindly on the shoulder. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to it with his own hands." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what woven round him. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But room. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet assist you in forming an opinion." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. article?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in awaited us upon the table. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been you." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lectures into a series of tales." the station." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, way in." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It was." carriage. It was a chestnut." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' to change my dress. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I amused." you." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, situation." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole overpowering excitement and concern. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "But she could not love him." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. row." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "He disappeared so suddenly." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle business came to an end." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get feature." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. had picked up in the wood. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "What is it, then--a fire?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." congratulate you again." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Where, then?" "We have tried and failed." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" leave you to your papers for a little." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir telegram would bring me down to your help." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "But your client--" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman village inn over there?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "And now?" I asked. "No." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed highly," said Holmes. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and that he would see to anything that turned up. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Sutherland. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or south, for the country is more deserted there." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Can I be of assistance?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "The best possible." formed some opinion?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the