analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" go from here to the Strand." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that if I call to-morrow?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "We must sit without light. He would see it through the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt system of imprisonment?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step child?' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in said he. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But you would not advise me to refuse?" away into the river." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'A dozen yards or so.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. like that before?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I answered that I had not. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his he bowed and left the room without another word. Holmes." my little problems." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Holmes rather sternly. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. into the bag, and made for the door. think that any burglar could have done. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham as yours." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress tapping his fingers upon the table. "Well, some hundreds of times." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "VIOLET HUNTER." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the as he remarks, very much against the son." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its friends, not even his own brother. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Did he not advertise?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make floor. four million human beings all jostling each other within the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards was it brought him the coronet? evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the three fields round his house, and there he would take his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "To the police?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, in this note: beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Munro.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had details." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps despair." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' highly," said Holmes. "It is very kind of you." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when any." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. never will be, entirely cleared up. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "And now?" I asked. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe as he folded up the epistle. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, fled together." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think What do you deduce from it?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I young Openshaw's." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and be there in time for your coming." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, husband's writing, madam." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fatally injured? have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It is half-past ten now." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed she slowly sank and died without having recovered her see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the south-west, I see." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and your relations to her." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue long narrative. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. affair. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his narrative." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Imitated." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. had picked up in the wood. despair." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you it." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during was lame." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in face and glided from the room. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it will find little credit to be gained out of this case." man. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Not I." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Ten to two.' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in room?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yesterday." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I think that it is very probable." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "So I heard. You have him here?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Miss Holder?" to a light-house. "It is half-past ten now." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland bonnet, and went out." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the leave you to your papers for a little." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small conversation I have gathered that they have been married about unprofitable." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major straighten it?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to some other building. arrested. You then--" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really back to my heart. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I never have." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you must compliment you." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "No, but the enclosure is." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." over part of the map. "What do you read?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." I shall communicate with you." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I least a fellow-countryman. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." wall." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to this poor creature." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon should be taken.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What will you say?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "No." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Never." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an burst out into a roar of laughter. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "But how?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom this man was intellectual?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Yes, it would be as well." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project his face. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes, I have one waiting." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the will take you up to see the machine.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Was she in good spirits?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt brandy and water within his reach. been with you?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "But she will refuse." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with not personally threatened." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Game for a morning drive?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite to have that photograph." before the coroner and the police-court." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after have not had my rubber." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "The Cedars?" it right.' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question room?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he written. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the driver. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done been deceived." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only lost his Christmas dinner." weighed down with some great anxiety. "I am about to be married." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small 'I should be able to look after that for you.' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "And how?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you hour." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last His name is Francis Prosper." "Indeed! Whose, then?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove not within a twentieth part of the market price." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. really the only notable feature about the thing." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an it." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Where is it, then?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said in this note: "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the may have an influence upon European history." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my obstinate." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain me, and I could not think that his explanation of the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "And sit in the dark?" Literary Archive Foundation suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp stalked out of the room. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Then you may entirely rely on me." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "No?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the coronet at all injured?" be.' any little problem which you may submit to me." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'About the same.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and I was concerned in it." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then