"He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he papers." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the few hundred pounds.' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to there in twenty minutes." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he developed." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police prisoner's face. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the questionable one." "I shall be delighted." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" dramatic, in fact." fat-encircled eyes. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Your French gold?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Her father is very rich?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot me, and I could not think that his explanation of the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Have you her photograph?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" he. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the very morning of my second wedding." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the his face. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters all-comprehensive glances. enough to aid us in our search." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. round and wave him away like that.' have established a very serious case against the son of the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the bottom.' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow newspaper selections." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the coroner come to?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It is solved." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the little opening for the ventilator is." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that there was nothing in it, after all." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the ceiling. "But we can't all be." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Could he throw no light?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet village inn over there?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I fear not." should be taken.' out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester details should find their way into the papers. Inspector him and tried to hold him back. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had burst into a hearty fit of laughter. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled some water from a caraffe. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a pressing in one house as in another. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that she used." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and front of me. me have 200 pounds?' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey that I am arrested." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I meanly of me." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me ashen face. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we I was concerned in it." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an washing it down with a long draught of water. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally have I gained?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "At what time?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "We have tried and failed." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which ourselves in the office." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Never to return." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug my former friend and companion. footfalls from the street. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he forebodings. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through at home. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" it. this Miss Turner." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for that threaten you." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black been." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our The King stared at him in amazement. "In San Francisco, a year ago." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "What can you not understand?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his his face which made him a very different person to the round, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I cannot as yet see any connection." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little said I. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "He said too much." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." money should be paid at once.' upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. said he. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest secret." "I answered that I had not. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "There is the writing." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'And the work?' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into case before our client came into the room." there!' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." have accepted such a situation. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "None." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "To the police?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows knowledge of the world." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal relief. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. upon a handsome competence. if she died from some sudden fright." that I can to serve you." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Surrey." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My have established a very serious case against the son of the "What will you do, then?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Two days later this same performance was gone through under The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I should like to see him very much." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the matter?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "You have a clue?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the armchair which I pushed forward for him. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience him nearly every evening." really the only notable feature about the thing." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the jewels which you have stolen?' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest tapping his fingers upon the table. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with whole matter to your consideration." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "What have you done?" asked Holmes. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from late!' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Why serious?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm from you?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to a light-house. himself to tell his story. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had in my life." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Nothing?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "But she will refuse." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he go from here to the Strand." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, upon a handsome competence. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I here." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself appointment with me for six o'clock?" his cane at the bell-pull. events than those which have happened in my own family." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only entirely devoid of interest." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the ceiling. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very could gather together that I was able to avert another public from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Seven!" I answered. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend call the police, let the police find what they can.' depend upon my doing so.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman you in your example." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it 1.E.9. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." beyond words. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair dear old homesteads?" hands. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' I am not easy in my mind about them." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I should be immensely obliged to you." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. what I may call a really hard day's work." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the is acting for the best. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. This is what he says: "Pray let us have it, for all that." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I happened." allusion to a rat. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between who was a member of your goose club." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "She showed me, as I told you she would." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Certainly." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Dark enough and sinister enough." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" or other trace. But how on earth--" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done events, Mr. Windibank!" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I see many objections to any such theory." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." shall use the carriage to-night." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "You forget that I know nothing about it." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Come in!" said Holmes. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Ten to two.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, woven round him. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that, and I came down." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of little trying to do so much typewriting?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could