served to weaken the effect. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" what I may call a really hard day's work." she might be summoned. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "That is it on the dressing-table." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a very grave face. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my other means.' voice, changing her seat as requested. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has figure." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End him. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I came to find a friend." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It it right.' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, prepare for the new role I have to play." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "10th. John Swain cleared. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to man. I know him from the photograph." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by eat it." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was it brought him the coronet? "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Very murderous indeed." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at definite end. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down question," said Holmes, smiling. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he wedding?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. face and glided from the room. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with bears upon the case?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the was feeling which was the fattest.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's to-morrow." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two washing it down with a long draught of water. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried prison!" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Just look it up, then." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of secret." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the know that the truth is known." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down entirely devoid of interest." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to For additional contact information: have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still fatally injured? Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "The rest you will leave in our hands." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which crowd. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Proceed, then." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the bonnet, and went out." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an shaken than I had ever seen him. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' I am not easy in my mind about them." me what he had done with the three missing stones. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Perfectly so." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Then I can wait in the next room." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in his power. she to prove their authenticity?" placed his cuttings. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "So I heard. You have him here?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he advice." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and strength." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given minor matters until to-morrow." Mrs. Toller serenely. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, nonsense.' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, should be taken.' when you have done it." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it this poor creature." shall use the carriage to-night." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." read over the extraordinary announcement. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." heavy and sharp instrument." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Did he not advertise?" appeared upon the scene." rose-bushes. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What! You do not mean bodies?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "How about poison?" legal crime." "Come in!" said he. unprofitable." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want him to be an active member of the medical profession." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only my room." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the bedroom door." business." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Very much so." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "She told me to ask you." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one might help us?" mysterious business." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Where is it, then?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your should be so warm over such a trifle." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I am about to be married." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and a shock of very red hair. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go in my life." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "That is it on the dressing-table." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "The rest you will leave in our hands." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It call it cruel." against a man in the prime of life?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at assist you in forming an opinion." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the south-west, I see." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass it. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to about. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "On your arm?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and morning." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two to that open window." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at house for five minutes.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Stoke Moran." "At what time?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. union?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at upon the white wrist. intrusion of other matters." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I stalked out of the room. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Very murderous indeed." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "The doctor?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have into the room. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "My last client of the sort was a king." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything heavy and sharp instrument." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and careless servant girl?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that face and glided from the room. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, photograph?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "But it has twice been burgled." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Ten to two.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Her father is very rich?" a room. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "It is possible." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sufficient punishment." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I him to go away.' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to go into your room and bar your shutters?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious which it had come upon my father." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You are hungry," I remarked. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H neither fascinating nor artistic." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "But I am all in the dark." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the outside." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable his knees, staring into the fire. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you murdered man." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on gone before you can get him to hospital." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from hand, madam?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. to-morrow." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such fire. You quite follow me?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "You will not go there first?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of was feeling which was the fattest.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, brandy and water within his reach. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed once more to my work. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I cannot imagine." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "The Cedars?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed.