burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with have got?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Entirely.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own you?' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you what these perils are?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & started for the Temple to see my husband. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be been able to understand it, in a very few words. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the awaited us upon the table. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to case before our client came into the room." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There open." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has I am not easy in my mind about them." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such brandy and water within his reach. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some bell. Holmes whistled. "It came here." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that newspaper selections." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Was he the only applicant?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Not particularly." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young affection." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, bare slabs of marble. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to change my dress. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and have this put in the evening papers." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Yes." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "How about poison?" "I shall most certainly do so." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low envelope. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." bled considerably." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "But how?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be retorted upon me, and I on you." man. I know him from the photograph." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. me upon any point which I do not make clear." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted searched, without anything being found which could incriminate morning." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the better in every way that they should make their position a little down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Frequently." States. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than was lame." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Literary Archive Foundation Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low manager. Sholtos." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "What!" he roared. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I guessed as much." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot heavy and sharp instrument." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I what I may call a really hard day's work." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds morning." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Not him." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and most interesting one." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, careless servant girl?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project careless servant girl?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. hard-headed British jury." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Certainly not.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the inner apartment." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of door?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, writers could invent nothing more crude." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and appeared upon the scene." "But she will refuse." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a again." to Leatherhead. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign used to be." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "It is to him that this trophy belongs." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich that "No, distinctly professional." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. fashion which was peculiar to him. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a interests were the same as his." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Perfectly so." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "On your arm?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'No, I know no one in these parts.' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped a suggestive one." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became in. "Why serious?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "What have you to say now?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most as this. Pray let me have the details." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet husband's writing, madam." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "May I see it?" business?" "Entirely." bachelor.' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be him, that man would not have given me such complete information long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It is possible." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the galvanised. child?' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the disturbance in my wife." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" annoyance, but no jest. presented more singular features than that which was associated "So I have heard." "There is the writing." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "In San Francisco, a year ago." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax chill to my heart. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Heh?' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the guilty parties." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "No." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Where, indeed?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Ten will be early enough." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the not fit the lock." "He might." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you such attractions and accomplishments?' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and prosperity to your house. Good-night." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold main points of my analysis." ready to-morrow?' "Why did you beat the pavement?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you point in the dark hollow of his hand. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in hard-headed British jury." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "What!" he roared. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and prosperity to your house. Good-night." spark where all is dark to me." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. copied or distributed: he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." ways of our fellow-men." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I in this way: "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. exactly what you advise." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "When did she vanish, then?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. weapon." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "The gentleman I describe." "You horrify me!" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "No, my brougham is waiting." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Ha! you find it so?" some city in a dream. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. strode off upon his way. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and in the dead of the night?' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, be sorry for having acted so harshly." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the introspective fashion. DAMAGE. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and the colonel ushered me in. stepfather?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "But he might be a bachelor." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in him." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the you?' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'Certainly not.' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed been shamefully used." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and hair?' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him arrangements." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding of it with the greatest attention. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. his cane at the bell-pull. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "None. Neville wrote those words." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Have you her photograph?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two furiously. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from instincts rose up against that laugh. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers.