which should have the effect of calling the attention of the even so self-evident a thing as that." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that through." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the disturbance in my wife." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the father's young wife. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "May I see it?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I guessed as much." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, noble correspondent could be. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb awkward doing business with an alias." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that extraordinary contortions. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are interest. They are important, you understand, without being of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Farm upon the left." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Yes, only one." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Did he not advertise?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and father's place of business?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "What do you mean?" back into the street. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his your bag." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that within hail.' which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Never." the coroner come to?" not, dad?" she asked. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in matter." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, but China?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue several quiet little villages up there." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to-morrow." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project thirty. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Of what?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with tied." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." populous neighbourhood." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. points to suicide?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my fire. You quite follow me?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'In my own bureau.' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists very peculiar words of the dying woman?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor rooms." the King without delay." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "On the contrary, this is the right side." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "His face fell immediately. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back ways including including checks, online payments and credit card have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Yes." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Very truly yours, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the carried out of court." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Will you go?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and four million human beings all jostling each other within the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is envelope. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to exactly what you advise." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "So I have heard." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "What do you mean?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' hurried by. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." photograph?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. legal crime." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, wedding?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'You cannot say what it was?' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Then the page we have seen--" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which our visitor detailed to us. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying back to my heart. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I was mad--insane." mystery." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was despaired of." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was is four-and-twenty." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated paper in the air. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and more solid." your sleep?' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of which we had just quitted. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "But who is he?" "And help." "And how did you verify them?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the occurred." pierced for earrings?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'I have already given you my word.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, rose-bushes. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be past. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other new duties?' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Because he was handy and would come cheap." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own him nearly every evening." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it time." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and humiliation." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and politicians who had been sent down from the North. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Yes." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "May I see it?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, yards of it?' the address that was given us in the advertisement. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Mary, has deserted me." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. him, that man would not have given me such complete information To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to quite distinctive." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" been with you?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Dirty?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I chill to my heart. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "It is true that I have been generally successful." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering sake, don't!" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "To an end?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were already been minutely examined." drawing your inferences." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I cannot tell." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I possible that we could bring him back to her? which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a ways of our fellow-men." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the something of him before." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Holmes rather sternly. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in simple cases which are so extremely difficult." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I will not look." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Bought." "Nearly eleven." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling invisible to me," I remarked. "What shall I do?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not overpowering excitement and concern. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I think that it is very probable." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Leadenhall Street--and--" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I in his power. character. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Married! When?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I say it is." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we call the police, let the police find what they can.' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at it right.' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Never,' said I. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "And I say east," said my patient. in him." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the to affect your life." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "By all means." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. miles off. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for yourselves in at night?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Indeed! Whose, then?" his wife has ceased to love him." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are points to suicide?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "She told me to ask you." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." careless servant girl?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered gbnewby@pglaf.org envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "My own seal." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending me upon any point which I do not make clear." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of only touch the interest." "Ah!" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." plantation.' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'What then?' I asked. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have cigar and let me expound." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Because he was handy and would come cheap."