how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was fear." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "In heaven's name, what for?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked direction." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have forehead. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Where to?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the forebodings. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over think that he is innocent?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Yes, it was gone.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you would then never go into court at all." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you nonsense.' cheerful." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. my room." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday brandy and water within his reach. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy congratulate you again." promised to bring home. hurried by. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit cigar and let me expound." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "It must be recovered." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and drove away. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his definite end. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little any more." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you for securing the situation." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the asked. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "How are you getting on?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. forebodings. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a wanted for ourselves." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Stolen, then." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly as he remarks, very much against the son." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had child?' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have I gained?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to secret." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and it need not interfere very much with one's other hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" read it out to me." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a at once, for I have only half an hour." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Holmes' face clouded over. upon an income of about 60 pounds." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was so.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture really the only notable feature about the thing." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into as noiselessly as she had come. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I that I am arrested." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, the wine-cellar." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall look upon these things in a different way." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, existence." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook union?" lectures into a series of tales." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I will get her to show me." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's possible that we could bring him back to her? the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or that before taking the final step I should like to submit the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might this remarkable episode. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'And the work?' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry ventilator." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson of note-paper. It read in this fashion: observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." papers diligently of late, have you not?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And why in hopes?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The assist you in forming an opinion." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the miles off. were unconscious?" "You have the photograph?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Not in the least." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The telegram would bring me down to your help." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a just ask you whether you had heard it.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the morning and make my own way in the world.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said families. Now for the facts. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Was your sister dressed?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my fasten all the windows?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Pray do so." "Could he throw no light?" forehead. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on secret." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is touch that coronet?' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone and I shall be with you presently." to change my dress. Where does the thing come from?' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" at home. humiliation." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the date of his supposed suicide." o'clock is it?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I should wish to." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to better grown goose." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to other, as fresh and trim as possible. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any was once confined in the cab my mission was practically photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Yesterday." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Certainly not.' forebodings. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. it." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just carpenter." done what I asked you, Jones?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this away to you." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. back to my heart. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a nonsense.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in me have 200 pounds?' at my own good fortune. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. house for five minutes.' weighed down with some great anxiety. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. knowledge of the world." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, of receipt of the work. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yesterday." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His public press." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave way in." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." door?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Oh, yes, easily." fasten all the windows?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Perhaps I have." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until ready to-morrow?' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its was lame." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a wanted for ourselves." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of Fenchurch Street." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater with you alone." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Munro.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, secret." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the so-precious time, but come!' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I beg pardon." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "One of his hands." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit with frightened eyes at his accuser. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Lee, in the county of Kent." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed instincts rose up against that laugh. himself in a perplexing position. "Certainly." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting will not take me long to tell. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fatally injured? 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." generous with you in money matters.' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project back into the street. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Yes." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger matter." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been speckled band?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he outsides of the windows. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the morning." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" as this. Pray let me have the details." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Why serious?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "How can you tell that?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to pierced for earrings?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to everything which you would wish to know." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination father's young wife. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "You have compromised yourself seriously." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by I. must compliment you." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important