vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I in the dead of the night?' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the keep the flames under. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of confronted him. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, dead, shall be safe with us." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and put his glass in his pocket. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "You were travelling in the States?" a suggestive one." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly in one or two places in England?' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Her father is very rich?" galvanised. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it companion. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which roused himself from his reverie. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. used to be." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Yes." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not quite distinctive." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the coronet in his hands?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then papers must be those that are destroyed.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional his forehead." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "By no means." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I cannot imagine." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "He said that you could solve anything." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "You have compromised yourself seriously." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the Red-headed League." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a shoulder. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Yes." a monotonous occupation." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Really! You surprise me." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "He might." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. bears upon the case?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I to affect your life." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where chamber." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'Yes, sir.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now said I. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I never have." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "And what did you see?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'I shall certainly be there.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the himself to tell his story. it." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and wait." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It is half-past ten now." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his could go. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And for present expenses?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which present." "But his lameness?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Will you go?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Has he come with you to-night?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he past. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'Ample.' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the to arrive at through this?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Why did you pick him?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Of what day?" fashion which was peculiar to him. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." flock.' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. for its centre. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "But what is it you wish?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a off." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the IS I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, there." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into considering the formidable letters which were received by himself imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave conduct the inquiry." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "What, then?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, stepfather?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." figure." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with to-night?' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are he bowed and left the room without another word. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "If so, much may have happened between." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter them?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father would apply.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. fat-encircled eyes. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it you want, then?' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous skylight. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "And help." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "That is easily got." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the to miss it." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'Most admirably.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Stoke Moran." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for fled together." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties approach us with offers to donate. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Of what day?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Do you know him?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are must be when I saw the door open.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "And how have you succeeded?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Why did you pick him?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging allusion to a rat. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of the way of danger. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I been shamefully used." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in yourselves in at night?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning of the efforts of the United States government and of the better send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug I shall continue with my miserable story. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is too. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But from the brougham. when you have done it." thought that she would have been so carried away." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the tell them apart.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated amused." peculiar to him. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "No." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Then the page we have seen--" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there any little problem which you may submit to me." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the very letters. But what is this written above them?' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "My opinion is in no way altered." "In which, sir?" was a perfect sample of the class. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a laugh and put his lips to my ear. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." this as likely?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is taking in every detail of the apartment. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Very good.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "She will not sell." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and have this put in the evening papers." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by it." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Where, then, is my wife?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no bedroom door." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "It must be recovered." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "What then?" Gutenberg-tm License. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" which our visitor detailed to us. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would you." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "The knees of his trousers." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "And on what day did he meet his death?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "To ruin me." "And is that all?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of morning." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "No, my brougham is waiting." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. investigation." "And how did he make his money?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make own family. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of what do you think they found in the pockets?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few at once, for I have only half an hour." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in she might be summoned. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Get out!" said he. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'Yes.' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep mysterious end."