matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "That sounds a little paradoxical." This is what he says: quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the redistribution. "Certainly." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." do.' society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in know that the truth is known." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the very letters. But what is this written above them?' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Which are?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even not fit the lock." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "At the wedding breakfast." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "But we can't all be." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' your own bird, so if you wish--" "And how?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with case before our client came into the room." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Yes, it would be as well." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, writing, and yet I know it well." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "It looks newer than the other things?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so during which he might have communicated with his friend the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of receipt of the work. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "No." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the child." him!" least a fellow-countryman. green of the new foliage. John Swain, of St. Augustine. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "What! a murderous attack?" people don't know." disappearance of these gems?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes, only one." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. new acquaintance to Baker Street. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. your most interesting statement." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Could he throw no light?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Certainly." when you have done it." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which row." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I came to find a friend." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes, sir." "But you have hopes?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I our word." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly even so self-evident a thing as that." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable or in danger--" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But what harm can there be in that?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. your room." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward States. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of said I. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness ways of our fellow-men." "'How far from the body?' constraint." him, that man would not have given me such complete information crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of business at Coburg Square is serious." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of highly," said Holmes. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in records." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing power." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a views." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." you want, then?' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's stepfather?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "But his lameness?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few together. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, present." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a shall not find me ungrateful." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "You will not go there first?" "Your presence might be invaluable." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside question. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. presented more singular features than that which was associated thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be flock.' nights." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the leave you to your papers for a little." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of them has the shutters up.' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time clang of the bell. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Never to return." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "That's no good." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the in his power. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is woman." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the hurried away. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking to you." ago." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off This is what he says: "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of your troubles." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was problems help me to do so." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Does that suggest anything?" "My Mary? Impossible!" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his this unhappy family?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have trifles." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You did not overhear what they said?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." shall not find me ungrateful." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are presume?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door second." generous with you in money matters.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying chemical work which was so dear to him. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Certainly." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Then he might have called to you?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and the whole place is in a blaze." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," eat it." ceremony." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She matters immensely." the stones. not personally threatened." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her man. I know him from the photograph." ready to-morrow?' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and have this put in the evening papers." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to away to you." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. into the room. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six jewels which you have stolen?' "And that is--" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into were wasted." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Never." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes, sir." License. You must require such a user to return or "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless returned to France?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager like that before?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Come in!" said he. "Pray do so." "He slept on the premises." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the address that was given us in the advertisement. colour had been driven from his face. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But what is it you wish?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of the one which your family is now devouring." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was himself. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend your own bird, so if you wish--" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "And how did you find out?" "How do you know, then?" "That you are never beaten." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips before the coroner and the police-court." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I shall most certainly do so." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Quite so. She has her freedom." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning more solid." "Always." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "A confidential servant?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Yes." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to mysterious business." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would upon the sideboard." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding