give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "You are all wrong." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Could he throw no light?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "That is easily got." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. forbidden door. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must late!' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "A call for help, you thought?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I cannot as yet see any connection." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she place, I think that there is good ground to think that the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "And you thought he was pulled back?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Here?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Yes." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I believe that I should never have any practice at all. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and the whole place is in a blaze." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Yes, that is the Crown." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I shall be delighted." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was call the police, let the police find what they can.' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she him to be an active member of the medical profession." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing until night should bring an explanation. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more stammered. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an following enigmatical notices: but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I. writers could invent nothing more crude." "By no means." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the driver. "'Certainly not. But why?' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. a room. beyond words. a suggestive one." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers waste of energy." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past would then never go into court at all." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "How are you getting on?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I assure you that I am in your hands." "And I say east," said my patient. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring London for the present?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and inquire as to the address." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had do." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles heavily into it. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "The knees of his trousers." "Certainly." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is writer." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "And Miss Sutherland?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now very peculiar words of the dying woman?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" fluttered off among the others. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, there is a decided draught." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "None." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'You cannot say what it was?' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Pray do so." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Yes.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to was a lad." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Was the window open?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded outside." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was bearing upon the case." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been see a sister of mine apply for." have I gained?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged me, and I could not think that his explanation of the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Proceed, then." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by goes." take the flies, but not before." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other behind me. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this generous with you in money matters.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, I was concerned in it." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "What steps will you take?" I asked. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No sign of it?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I do." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "That you are never beaten." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole article?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite disturbance in my wife." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen enter Dr. Roylott's room." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my you came in." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "The knees of his trousers." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Yes, sir.' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "No." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' on in his house." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You have it, sir, just as it happened." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his over part of the map. "What do you read?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'Ten to two.' our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "So I have heard." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want clang of the bell. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said considering the formidable letters which were received by himself bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Will you bet, then?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Quite so." "But what is it you wish?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an his huge brown hands. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The excitement. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "The gentleman I describe." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "What are they?" extraordinary contortions. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us What do you deduce from it?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to guilty parties." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all DAMAGE. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope nothing of it?" get the tickets." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I promise," said Holmes. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, not, dad?" she asked. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Stoke Moran?" said he. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Upon what point?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It him. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the late!' Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of when you have done it." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the matter." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began gone. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "How did you deduce the select?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' upon the sideboard." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it tell them apart.' business." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "He slept on the premises." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from his face. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, companion. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Certainly." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "That is easily got." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and