electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally said I. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note bare slabs of marble. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My burst out into a roar of laughter. "Witness: It was. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one tapping his fingers upon the table. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long laugh and put his lips to my ear. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his to Leatherhead. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Never,' said I. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "But how?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Yes?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been question you as to those details which seem to me to be most company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who dates and names. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you details." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'Quite sure, dad.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old it with his own hands." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the should be taken.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but page at http://pglaf.org used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has 'I should be able to look after that for you.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." unclasping of his long thin hands. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in entirely devoid of interest." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance anything to do with the matter?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, tightly behind him. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming be.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to-morrow." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Which are?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the warnings." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable call it cruel." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "And leave your case unfinished?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "By all means." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. brain must have something in it." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to not come at once?" have been better. It is all right." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked must be when I saw the door open.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I see many objections to any such theory." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "The King of Scandinavia." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Precisely." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "And how did you verify them?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There indeed happy." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police bell. Holmes whistled. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything from the brougham. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to think that he is innocent?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Look there!" said he. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Precisely so. But how--" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "What is it?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower outside." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler disappearance of these gems?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more down. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "But your client--" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never shoulder. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has said he at last. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "In heaven's name, what for?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad over with notes and figures. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Not yet." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock advice." "Witness: I must still refuse. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the south-west, I see." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "He is still with you, I presume?" key turn in the lock." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Stoke Moran." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." yourselves in at night?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. distinguish the words: without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with digesting their breakfasts at home." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end not fit the lock." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "To ruin me." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from certainly do as you advise." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about discontent upon his features. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and no precautions can guard against." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the key of the affair now." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "And why?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." his grey eyes. should be so warm over such a trifle." during which he might have communicated with his friend the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce good-night and bustled off upon her way. sneer upon his pale face. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner go from here to the Strand." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Eyford at 11:15.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done chamber." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "And why in hopes?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Yes, it would be as well." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I say that I have solved it." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "10th. John Swain cleared. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Most admirably.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he grasp, he hurried from the room. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than roused himself from his reverie. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "But his left-handedness." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I beg pardon." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to man. "Certainly, madam." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. other, as fresh and trim as possible. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the waste of energy." it means?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, weapon." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed corner of the building. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ordinary clothes on?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It remarked. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them asked with his eyes open. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it quickly through a disagreeable task. signal between you and your father? extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Most admirably.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "10th. John Swain cleared. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to shall not find me ungrateful." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took meant it for the best. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "There is the writing." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his feature." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened chair. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun I was concerned in it." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in at my own good fortune. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be already referred to. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, returned to France?" chair. possible that we could bring him back to her? hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those his wife has ceased to love him." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I infinite languor in his face. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of a light. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon this as likely?" the coronet at all injured?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." compunction about shooting them down." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over but preventing her from injuring another. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, forbidden door. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and It may be so in this case, also." friend's singular character. see a sister of mine apply for." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. noting anything else of interest. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "What can you not understand?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with said he. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the purpose of examination. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a gone before you can get him to hospital." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the roots. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he again, where I was soon asleep. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some little adventures." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to