that you can jump it.' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to was a perfect sample of the class. page at http://pglaf.org "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you unclasping of his long thin hands. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his been anything against him. He had for years been known as a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in it." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Munro.' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way third from London." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I was afraid that you were engaged." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "And who is her maid?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "No legal papers or certificates?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Not I." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "A thing like a cleaver," said he. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, question. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was narrative." "You know me, then?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "It came here." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Is purely nominal.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'I have already given you my word.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Miss Holder?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am written. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. this poor creature." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the his grey eyes. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her girl said." "If I can be of use." province." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." very morning of my second wedding." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply newspaper selections." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and your equipment. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'About the same.' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Well, but China?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers conceal it?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Where does the thing come from?' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Upon what point?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must your room." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "My stepfather's business papers." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to until night should bring an explanation. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Did you observe the colour?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Will you go?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the asked. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "It certainly sounds feasible." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off papers diligently of late, have you not?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Ha! you find it so?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that hurried away. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Pray do so." it." know all about it," he snarled. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his tapping his fingers upon the table. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, she to prove their authenticity?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And for present expenses?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better as yours." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Then, as to money?" public press." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Thank you. And your address?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his knees, staring into the fire. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the should be so warm over such a trifle." fat-encircled eyes. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from not personally threatened." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who ceremony." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in outbreak?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "What shall I do?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, him." shall use the carriage to-night." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Here?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. down. "Not social, then?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Farm upon the left." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, once more. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I will do it." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in to take care of herself." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the you do it in twenty minutes!' of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." morning." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in a friendly supper." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to you." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Which surely he restored to their owner?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: disturbance in my wife." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, with some details as to your case." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing in a very precise fashion." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. had this final quarrel? iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you soul! here is her carriage at the door." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Game for a morning drive?" congenial hunt. said he. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "No bad?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we these bleak autumnal evenings." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Won't it ring?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love one of them." "I have solved it." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Not him." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And why?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I carried out of court." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Witness: It was. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has I held the little printed slip to the light. true." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "None. Neville wrote those words." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and for the market.' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features nonsense.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "What?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, himself to hunt down. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Most admirably.' of this gang." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind of Fenchurch Street." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. could not have written that. It is the German who is so done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "The knees of his trousers." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, our word." go back?" the driver. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and glanced through. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pictures, libraries, or plate. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old are windows in it, of course?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided roused himself from his reverie. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly round and wave him away like that.' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Does that suggest anything?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the shall not find me ungrateful." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. trifles." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "What! Had he lost his wife?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I should be immensely obliged to you." "What! Had he lost his wife?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you bled considerably." "I say it is." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you criminal. We have already had experience of such." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, that you wished to speak to me?' direction." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might best detective that ever lived. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "What do you make of that, Watson?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "The decline of his fortunes, then?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking feature." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Entirely.' written, and locked the door of the office after me.