"Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. I am not easy in my mind about them." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her 'I should be able to look after that for you.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! felt the room to be a little close.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "But it has twice been burgled." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before danger is over." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name that, and I came down." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put closing the door. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country I took the paper from him and read as follows: "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that there was nothing in it, after all." "It is possible." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I am following you closely," I answered. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "And I to find an enemy." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the business at Coburg Square is serious." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At noting anything else of interest. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "And your father? Did you tell him?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him you." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Yes, all." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I should be immensely obliged to you." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to Leatherhead. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "And why?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Where to?' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it formed some opinion?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "The doctor?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp extraordinary contortions. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather was shining brightly. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Not I." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, at my remark. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them shall use the carriage to-night." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake do.' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." for securing the situation." to a light-house. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Heh?' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the south-west, I see." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the you for a few hours?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I think that it is very probable." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'Very good.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with congenial hunt. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "No good news?" flock.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "And your mother is alive?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." vault. and glanced through. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "But what will you do?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the salesman. "Murdered?" Heh?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the roots. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your despaired of." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And of his shoulders. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and the colonel ushered me in. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I sound at heart." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, done what I asked you, Jones?" "Precisely so. But how--" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice do you make of it all?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an province." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "But she will refuse." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. might have a private word with us. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Did your wife hear all this?" "10th. John Swain cleared. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I don't say that. Perhaps." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Could he throw no light?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending if I call to-morrow?" is," said he presently: "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body never will be, entirely cleared up. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "And how have you succeeded?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far open." "Nothing." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when gone. "Yes." "'You cannot say what it was?' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "But you can know nothing of this?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it carpenter." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You are hungry," I remarked. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into thin, with a long, sharp nose?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Was she in good spirits?" lips." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "And I to find an enemy." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled nonsense.' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a stalked out of the room. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive London for the present?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "You don't mind breaking the law?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "An enemy?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Absolutely?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned chill to my heart. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "By no means." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This ways including including checks, online payments and credit card or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing presented more singular features than that which was associated "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light What do you deduce from it?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Do you go out much in society?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just in the hope of finding them." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, happened." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the ordinary clothes on?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie your own bird, so if you wish--" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have chair. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I don't say that. Perhaps." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, galvanised. "By no means." is a common subject for conversation. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in seen the man in the road." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Have you it here?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Yes, sir." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was his knees, staring into the fire. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Where did you address your letters, then?" death." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have I held the little printed slip to the light. "I have my revolver," said I. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together round and wave him away like that.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room seen the man in the road." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "What shall I do?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "What will you say?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is views." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her arms and began to sob in a high treble key. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'Quite sure, dad.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'No, I know no one in these parts.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You will not go there first?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul chance." been deceived." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to Leatherhead. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Really! You surprise me." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to minor matters until to-morrow." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Sutherland. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open a good hundred miles off by now." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I should like to see him very much." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to an introduction to him?" whereabouts. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, think you a quite exceptional woman." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point."