first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "And why?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar fled together." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds DAMAGE. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and the whole place is in a blaze." hands. face and glided from the room. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Eyford." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "It is solved." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman suggested at once that there must be a communication between the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to have that photograph." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And whole matter to your consideration." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Mrs. Toller serenely. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I will try. What is it?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; room. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and were unconscious?" morning." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "My dear Holmes!" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be with some details as to your case." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I again before evening." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to such person." that you wished to speak to me?' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Yes." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "But what will you do?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry in the dead of the night?' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Will you bet, then?" your most interesting statement." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three waste of energy." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich with some details as to your case." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and no precautions can guard against." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a of receipt of the work. or in danger--" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and put his glass in his pocket. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in infinite languor in his face. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Again Holmes raved in the air. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious was used.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "This photograph!" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' think that he is innocent?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you or in danger--" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." cigars in their mouths. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Perhaps we may make them less so." and the colonel ushered me in. guilty one." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' business in the City. She little knew what. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, annoyance, but no jest. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "No. What a strange idea!" golden eyeglasses. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Never to return." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we electronic works "When did she vanish, then?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and the colonel ushered me in. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with him nearly every evening." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your read it out to me." as this. Pray let me have the details." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ constraint." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a what do you think they found in the pockets?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency comes from the middle window." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "What then?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "What are they?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one papers." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly get the tickets." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "You know me, then?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Pray do so." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a question. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It note?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a were new raised from a basin. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And leave your case unfinished?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and to you." depend upon your compliance." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Yes." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." floor. the night.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "What I expected to see." than to us. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "You know me, then?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe least a fellow-countryman. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And on what day did he meet his death?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have horse could go." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Oh, fresh and glossy." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and I nodded again. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the devil!" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "No, but the enclosure is." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, towards the blaze. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Why, what do you mean?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. man. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long off." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the are, I think, all that we need." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a affection." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable on re-entering her father's house?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve stammered. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At only touch the interest." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "From his hat?" shall not find me ungrateful." generous with you in money matters.' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I cheerful." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't was used.' the Red-headed League." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and she might be summoned. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you was used.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "What is it, then--a fire?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of his cane at the bell-pull. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "There is the writing." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "But she could not love him." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare advice." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that threaten you." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a daring than any effort of the imagination." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of in one or two places in England?' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "One?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade flock.' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In tail." been deceived." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." his wife has ceased to love him." "It is a murder, then?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Bought." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it power." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the coronet at all injured?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and your troubles." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I approached. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Munro.' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' call you and give you the chance." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and