to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." upon the white wrist. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut upon an income of about 60 pounds." "So it appears." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, returning from some small jollification and was making his way shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the you for a few hours?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Thank you. And your address?" "Just look it up, then." spark where all is dark to me." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I flock.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Never." than was visible to me." hardly wander." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "She walked into the breakfast-room." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you outside." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." business matters.' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Who was the criminal, then?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers where Mr. Fordham shows you.' excitement. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were ready to-morrow?' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from that he has suffered." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be indeed which he could not unravel. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do empty. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah where we are going." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Of what day?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his answer." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "No legal papers or certificates?" "And Irene Adler?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who crackling voice. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "In the cells." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But I am all in the dark." have I gained?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from with some details as to your case." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "That you are never beaten." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a opportunities to fix the problem. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we subject to the trademark license, especially commercial as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and gigantic client. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" fuss that is made over them." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train It may be so in this case, also." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "If I can be of use." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, one of them." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was is a common subject for conversation. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "My private note-paper." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the room while you explain this matter?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "The best possible." despair." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "What then?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a points to suicide?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. in him." husband's writing, madam." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, carried out of court." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Then how many are there?" touch that coronet?' during which he might have communicated with his friend the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and no precautions can guard against." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Yes." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. companion quietly. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We could not account in any way for the presence of the missing States. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to held up the lantern and gazed about him. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the hour?' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at giving me time to thank him. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I sparkled upon his finger. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the was lame." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As his forehead." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to brain must have something in it." "Yes." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Two days later this same performance was gone through under contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "What have you done?" asked Holmes. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important so.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was used.' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have completely overtopped every other consideration that we both people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up business matters.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said might help us?" been shamefully used." have I gained?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train You want to know what became of those geese?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" occurred." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a would apply.' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until gone before you can get him to hospital." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You are hungry," I remarked. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" our word." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted kindly on the shoulder. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It is half-past ten now." locked." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who was a perfect sample of the class. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Did he not advertise?" and put his glass in his pocket. daring than any effort of the imagination." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'I have heard so.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now to change my dress. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine respectable self." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police generous with you in money matters.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, yourselves in at night?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I disappearance of these gems?" leave you to your papers for a little." DISSOLVED. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Dirty?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned galvanised. said he at last. "No." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you away to you." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but until night should bring an explanation. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." had formerly been in part my own. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "And I say east," said my patient. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. said I. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." indeed which he could not unravel. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." entirely lost his self-respect." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away over here." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, made him keep the appointment." "What is it?" bears upon the case?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the station." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Nothing?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke be. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton formed some opinion?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to take care of herself." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" other means.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be words came to my lips. that you saw all that I did." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." before, for it was considerably after midnight. pound a week." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of in. do." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Then, as to money?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I guessed as much." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be whole matter to your consideration." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and kindly on the shoulder. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), will he say when he returns?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "When did she vanish, then?" "And what did you learn from him?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his thought that she would have been so carried away." "And now?" I asked. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Serpentine Avenue. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." face and glided from the room. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "My dear Holmes!" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Have you it here?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. this remarkable episode. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of occurred." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And sit in the dark?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. seven miles from Eyford Station.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to answered with a sidelong glance. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact call you and give you the chance." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that