"'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a to talk it over. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and ready to-morrow?' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a him and tried to hold him back. door?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced suggested at once that there must be a communication between the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Witness: I must still refuse. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his been deceived." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Of Friday, June 19th." this man was intellectual?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Here?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Dr. Becher's." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Henry Baker is a member." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such man. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'How far from the body?' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction cigars in their mouths. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a least a most suspicious remark." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from head. So long, then!" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest had this final quarrel? have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "He said that you could solve anything." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Imitated." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your jewels which you have stolen?' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as noiselessly as she had come. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "No. What a strange idea!" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a important." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece me where it went to?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very in one or two places in England?' cheerful." of." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'What then?' I asked. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to outsides of the windows. "Yes, sir." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the best of training." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "The gentleman I describe." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Edgeware Road. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the girl said." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Where is it, then?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "But his left-handedness." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I am armed." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'You doubt its value?' he asked. miles off. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would there were one or two details which were new to me. But the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. lips." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Holmes rather sternly. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "His face fell immediately. fat-encircled eyes. "Won't it ring?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "What can it mean?" I gasped. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "How did you deduce the select?" remarked. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'Which dealer's?' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I green of the new foliage. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Oh, the cause is excellent!" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." go--none." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I make me his representative both with the servants and with the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the have an American origin." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I locked. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the disappearance of the bride.'" brain must have something in it." the room while you explain this matter?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That closely." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Stoke Moran." locked. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with writer." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Bought." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "What of the rat, then?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it been." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which about here speaks of his kindness to him." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "How did you trace it, then?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Not in a good cause." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "No, I had a dozen." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on quickly through a disagreeable task. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we outside. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as begun to whiten, even as mine has." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of it." "'Certainly not.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than is now desirous of getting those letters back." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the driver. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as nonsense.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official closely." "And the cigar-holder?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "No, thank goodness, she did not." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the all that?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I for its centre. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in suddenly upon us." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" congenial hunt. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "From his hat?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you against a man in the prime of life?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "What I expected to see." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of new acquaintance to Baker Street. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a least a most suspicious remark." than was visible to me." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, spare." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general hardly wander." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his annoyance, but no jest. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion DAMAGE. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "You were travelling in the States?" some water from a caraffe. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without power." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Won't it ring?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I. generous with you in money matters.' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Then the page we have seen--" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came outside. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Married! When?" to affect your life." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue happened." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside asked. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them 11:15.' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the that you wished to speak to me?' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. if only as a check to my own memory." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and in a very precise fashion." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "One of his hands." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the room had already been engaged for us. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for upon the white wrist. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor dates and names. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he know that the truth is known." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we conduct the inquiry." which it had come upon my father." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I cannot say that I have." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Can I be of assistance?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police nonsense.' the bottom.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What?" "'Yes, sir.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in hard-headed British jury." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I directly by questioning you." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Never to return." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we papers." did not hear it also.' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. spark where all is dark to me." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society help us in this matter." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "So I am. Very much so." "And your mother is alive?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time