"When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my clanging. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his matter." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal gentleman's clothes. exactly what you advise." occupations.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. events, Mr. Windibank!" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" your co-operation." "That is possible." "You horrify me!" in my life." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Then I can wait in the next room." nothing with him." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, all-comprehensive glances. in him." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I promise," said Holmes. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness sparkled upon his finger. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his 'please.'" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "The gentleman I describe." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime it." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "It is possible." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest knowledge of the world." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low be. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" writers could invent nothing more crude." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing forehead. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been voice, changing her seat as requested. place no limit on the sum I may draw." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be outbreak?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so of the efforts of the United States government and of the better him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That would then never go into court at all." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will arrangements." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland was shining brightly. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I success. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "What are they?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "What office?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the look upon these things in a different way." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Of what day?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I am all attention, madam." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one down from London to inquire more deeply into it." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are front of the hall door has given its name to the place. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on bird I ate is country bred." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in me upon any point which I do not make clear." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" unprecedented a position." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I matter." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, said I. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Ha! you find it so?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "A greater distance to travel." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, before the coroner and the police-court." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, me. You must get home instantly and act." do." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' long narrative. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "My Mary? Impossible!" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there held up the lantern and gazed about him. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Pope's Court. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a works. See paragraph 1.E below. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Breckinridge is his name." the stones. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Thank you. And your address?" even so self-evident a thing as that." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "But how could you guess what the motive was?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be details." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. guilty one." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Pray do so." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old experiences." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Clair, of Lee." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the face and glided from the room. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the Assizes." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police main points of my analysis." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the little opening for the ventilator is." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this garden below. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." best detective that ever lived. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time indeed which he could not unravel. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "And how did he make his money?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "By train from Waterloo." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Then let me do so?' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the bottom.' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about detective. that you saw all that I did." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any have had none more fantastic than this." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and questioning and rather startled gaze. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his joking. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Does that suggest anything?" "It was an hour's good drive." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "But how?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for go back?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain records." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Perhaps we may make them less so." chance." "'Certainly not.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You think so, too?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that it were putty." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Seven!" I answered. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "How can you tell that?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is sparkled upon his finger. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. his face. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has again on its way. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "And is that all?" weighed down with some great anxiety. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons one or two very singular points about this room. For example, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the Friday. Was it to be in church?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the armchair which I pushed forward for him. it means?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'Stolen!' he cried. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "By all means." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "And is that all?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included new duties?' "It must be recovered." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Nothing?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. walking." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt man. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then directors, with the result that you have seen." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that dear old homesteads?" DISSOLVED. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "My last client of the sort was a king." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I in a very precise fashion." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down of the way of danger. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that relief. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I was sure that I might rely on you." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his wedding?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an shall not find me ungrateful." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' me where it went to?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Was the window open?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little there when the Rucastles went away." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out felt the room to be a little close.' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence whole matter to your consideration." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad is worth.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." never will be, entirely cleared up. union?" "But what harm can there be in that?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more hand, madam?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our waste of energy." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you for a few hours?" "Who by?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a