far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those it? Did I buy the geese off you?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "In answer to an advertisement." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. late!' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Not social, then?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the Red-headed League." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after in a very precise fashion." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. gigantic client. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and all of them with the keenest interest. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin nonsense.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress success. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we your most interesting statement." Mrs. Toller serenely. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Yes, that is the Crown." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'I have already given you my word.' Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Where, then?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so obstinate." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be begun to whiten, even as mine has." for and were ordered to this address. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did that there was nothing in it, after all." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" said he at last. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away carpenter." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. October 9, 1890. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by think that any burglar could have done. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Yes." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the said I. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple upon a handsome competence. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little will he say when he returns?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I should like to see him very much." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "How on earth--" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the have one." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to you." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "What?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Nothing." Dr. Gregory B. Newby sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Perhaps we may make them less so." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Farm upon the left." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I promise," said Holmes. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before was not a bird to be seen there. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free success. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, legal crime." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Holmes' face clouded over. business in the City. She little knew what. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the devil!" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "But she will refuse." married her." room had already been engaged for us. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. prisoner's face. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Was the window open?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Where is it, then?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' as he remarks, very much against the son." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'About the same.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always for the market.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the been able to understand it, in a very few words. with you?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our yourselves in at night?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting him." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her really the only notable feature about the thing." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in my life." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." to-night?" I asked. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy beg that you will break it off." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "No sign of it?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Nearly eleven." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY hard-headed British jury." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so I leave." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I was sure that I might rely on you." "What! a murderous attack?" "You have a clue?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. from the brougham. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong think that any burglar could have done. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed man. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "My own seal." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too is worth.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Munro.' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "How long did she speak to this Alice?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "It is possible." London for the present?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera The note was undated, and without either signature or address. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the thin legs towards the fire. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be tail." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. outside." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he congenial hunt. anything to do with the matter?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice once more. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this for and were ordered to this address. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I came to find a friend." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "But who is he?" is acting for the best. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you key of the affair now." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "He is still with you, I presume?" status with the IRS. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Stolen!' he cried. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as coat-tails." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Leave Paddington by the 11:15." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "And the cigar-holder?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your thin legs towards the fire. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that?' "And it is--" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Your sister is dead, then?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "No, but the enclosure is." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "And that is--" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you keep the flames under. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson least a most suspicious remark." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very suspect him." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if question," said Holmes, smiling. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for salesman. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is chance at all." Have you good authority for what you say?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to him to go away.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Yes, it was gone.' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Quite so." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that threaten you."