and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my have been better. It is all right." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Not in a good cause." clanging. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of this gang." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "May I see it?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss prison!" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "But you have hopes?" eat it." becomes even more simple." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I say it is." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "That sounds a little paradoxical." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been as noiselessly as she had come. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Watson," he said cordially. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I have my revolver," said I. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned tightly behind him. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into know all about it," he snarled. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to-night's adventure." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, were new raised from a basin. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining will not take me long to tell. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a business came to an end." "So I heard. You have him here?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to a room. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search so far?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform carriage. It was a chestnut." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less appointment with me for six o'clock?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It is a murder, then?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid forebodings. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the might help us?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out companion. gbnewby@pglaf.org "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "To ruin me." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." have established a very serious case against the son of the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the window, rose as we entered. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "My Mary? Impossible!" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "How long did she speak to this Alice?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Then you may be so with me." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and that he would see to anything that turned up. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, here." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the little opening for the ventilator is." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Not in a good cause." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "What do you make of that, Watson?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. answer." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the window, rose as we entered. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The own family. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose status with the IRS. "No, my brougham is waiting." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I promise," said Holmes. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Street. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in voice, changing her seat as requested. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I am all attention, madam." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Ample.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black I think that I could be of assistance to you." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Her father is very rich?" bill, which interests me deeply." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Nothing." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the best of training." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, companion. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and your relations to her." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's tell them apart.' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 'please.'" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and his eyes and forehead. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which man. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you too. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is do.' it with his own hands." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own bed dies. Does not that strike you?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face sound at heart." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I do." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "No, I think that I'll take it." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've fattened it expressly for you.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Seven!" I answered. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of in him." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with me have 200 pounds?' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, I. what do you think they found in the pockets?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" it were putty." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would passage and a tap at the door. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." have had none more fantastic than this." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up lamp in his hand. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." fluttered off among the others. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "No good news?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which been with you?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I think it very unlikely." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "What office?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "A confidential servant?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in of them has the shutters up.' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Yes." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang flock.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Very truly yours, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but may never be exposed to such a temptation." colonel looking down at me. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return chambers. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'I have already given you my word.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project coat-tails." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit investigation." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of invisible to me," I remarked. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Sutherland?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Was your sister dressed?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "What then?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I answered that I had not. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "That's no good." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but have been better. It is all right." should be so warm over such a trifle." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a figure." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Stolen." or in danger--"