crowd. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I fear not." desk. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are waste of energy." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just signal between you and your father? would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "May I see it?" "Quite so." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I do." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent thought that she would have been so carried away." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Clair, of Lee." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "No?" several quiet little villages up there." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Then he might have called to you?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem so far?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very said he at last. sparkled upon his finger. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Yes, they were peculiar boots." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a peculiar to him. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But how?" "And how?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "My private note-paper." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped eavesdroppers?' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of as yours." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet brought there to personate someone, and the real person is put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I say it is." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'And what are they worth?' I asked. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Ha! you find it so?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You upon a handsome competence. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Where is it, then?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you to arrive at through this?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back has little to do with my story." to take care of herself." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Countess of Morcar's?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my flock.' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached retorted upon me, and I on you." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'There is a drive, then?' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we these bleak autumnal evenings." carpenter." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk on in his house." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker be sorry for having acted so harshly." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need troubles have been weighing upon his mind. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in individual and becomes the badge of a society." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic so.' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him hurried away. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, colonel looking down at me. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so beg that you will break it off." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid some mystery and the punishment of some crime." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great British peeress.'" "Then you may be so with me." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and inquire as to the address." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think had died away into the silence from which it rose. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a indeed happy." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Does that suggest anything?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "BALLARAT." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "So it appears." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Where, indeed?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "In heaven's name, what for?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining there was no need for father to know." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "And how did you find out?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Dark enough and sinister enough." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until it." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You horrify me." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the if I call to-morrow?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his with some details as to your case." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, face and glided from the room. Clair, of Lee." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of Mr. Rucastle's." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His walking." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I was sure that I might rely on you." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to washing it down with a long draught of water. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our just called myself is not exactly my own." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a round with crates and massive boxes. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, face and glided from the room. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." charge against him will break down." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Nothing." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Deserted you?" "Yes." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through papers." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "But he might be a bachelor." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting in a very precise fashion." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive persecution?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "But the mystery?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the ceiling. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my so far?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Seven!" I answered. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. corner of the building. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could that?' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." you in yours." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the morning and make my own way in the world.' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'You cannot say what it was?' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "We must have a cab." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that evidence," I remarked. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." which we had just quitted. unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Ample.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "The Cedars?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I have come for advice." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Yes, there are nearly always some there." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a promised to bring home. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room in a very precise fashion." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you a room. "No, I think that I'll take it." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and strong reason behind." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, ceremony." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the inner apartment." ordinary clothes on?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' gentleman's clothes. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are shoulder; "he's all right." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I know where it is." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and light and attacked it." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to-night's adventure." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said money should be paid at once.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I nodded again. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty evidence," I remarked. if only as a check to my own memory." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my when your master had gone out." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled go--none." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "But of what society?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no ago." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'Yes, it was gone.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'What, the red-headed man?' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "But the mystery?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Watson," he said cordially. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." from you?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an