"Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, who was a member of your goose club." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and both be extremely obliged.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to woman." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Here?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. over with notes and figures. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "What! You do not mean bodies?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Countess of Morcar's?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But British peeress.'" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who in this way: posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double electronic works lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms bachelor.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and looked back. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more writers could invent nothing more crude." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." his face. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to six. Come in!" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did introspective fashion. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "And how have you succeeded?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, come either from the window or the door. My attention was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "It was." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "And the cigar-holder?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil question," said Holmes, smiling. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are The police have openly confessed that they can at present make not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Tired-looking or fresh?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I know where it is." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I cannot as yet see any connection." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Yes." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently vault. them?" other means.' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took not within a twentieth part of the market price." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and laid it on the table. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had enough to aid us in our search." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Nearly eleven." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a again before evening." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, late!' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken round and wave him away like that.' friends, not even his own brother. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "And what did you see?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a companion. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Perfectly so." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to already referred to. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a look dissatisfied." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "No. His orders were to stay in the house." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Have you it here?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "But his left-handedness." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a indiscretion." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake or other trace. But how on earth--" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. discontent upon his features. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Certainly not.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Then the page we have seen--" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Yes." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "No." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "You are hungry," I remarked. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "It missed him, then?" fact, we may call it conclusive." "Was he the only applicant?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the it. During two years I have had three consultations and one small having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Never to return." that there was nothing in it, after all." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and you." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good leave you to your papers for a little." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "That is possible." "I cannot tell." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "And your mother is alive?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "And for present expenses?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the bottom.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a interest. They are important, you understand, without being very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid on re-entering her father's house?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Will you go?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Eh? What was that?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "9th. McCauley cleared. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the coroner come to?" room had already been engaged for us. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom begun to whiten, even as mine has." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you in the port of London." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and capable of preserving a secret.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she is worth.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Well, but China?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with good for you to do.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return held up the lantern and gazed about him. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "It's nothing of the kind." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as rat could hardly pass through." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "At the wedding breakfast." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, answered with a sidelong glance. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "You know me, then?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this hurried by. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, your co-operation." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Of Friday, June 19th." "I do." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Then how many are there?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several one's self under obligations.' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident simple cases which are so extremely difficult." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Sutherland. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich she has been waylaid. There has been no result." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what as he remarks, very much against the son." his eyes and forehead. "No." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others bonnet, and went out." "The Cedars?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "His face fell immediately. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been good-night and bustled off upon her way. have one." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is room. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two your own bird, so if you wish--" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his humiliation." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold before the coroner and the police-court." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "And is that all?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Very murderous indeed." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if have been better. It is all right." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "One?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some highroad, where all traces were lost. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe For additional contact information: possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "What then?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that must compliment you." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "About a month then." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "No, my brougham is waiting." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every comes from the middle window." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is