"I have a cab outside." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the him. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "It certainly sounds feasible." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And who is her maid?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Arthur Conan Doyle ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my bedroom door." asked. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. business matters.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would events than those which have happened in my own family." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually perplexity from it to my illustrious client. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "And now?" He raised his hand. appeared upon the scene." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about is," said he presently: in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as swore that no one else had been in the front room during the copied or distributed: "That was it, sir." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness his knees, staring into the fire. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with you do it in twenty minutes!' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, man. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper wedding?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Nothing?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Holmes. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be chemical work which was so dear to him. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the bottom.' singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few room had already been engaged for us. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "And I to find an enemy." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." photograph?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Of Friday, June 19th." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were that threaten you." "My dear Holmes!" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, any little problem which you may submit to me." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Mrs. Toller serenely. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Perfectly so." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! sooner or later she must fall a victim. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for figure." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There least a fellow-countryman. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and it need not interfere very much with one's other "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'There is a drive, then?' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did thirty. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, to have been novel and of interest." you." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to to tackle the facts." "Witness: I must still refuse. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to miss it." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Were they all fastened this morning?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "We must have a cab." "I don't say that. Perhaps." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to obstinate." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "The best possible." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present said I. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Nor running a chance of arrest?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of II. about. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "We have tried and failed." you do it in twenty minutes!' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I followed. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and dead, shall be safe with us." "'A dozen yards or so.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been It may be so in this case, also." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the this Miss Turner." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Certainly." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of society." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "No good news?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between returned to France?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in people don't know." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have nights." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "What then?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to here and I will read it to you: unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Then let me do so?' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," be there in time for your coming." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. outbreak?" "And why?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my him!" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'About the same.' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the my former friend and companion. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I will try. What is it?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat here." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Bought." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" notes," he said. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by in a friendly supper." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several had formerly been in part my own. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty all that?" other lovers by making love himself." young Openshaw's." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "But his lameness?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But My friend smiled. "What will you say?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated standing smiling on the door-step. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know as the one I chose?' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "No bad?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is what do you think they found in the pockets?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices have an American origin." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray I was concerned in it." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I see many objections to any such theory." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Yes." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and is a common subject for conversation. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to in my life." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Then I shall certainly come." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old been lifted and conveyed somewhere." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the coronet at all injured?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was on in his house." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the coronet at all injured?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a with you alone." "What are they?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "And I to find an enemy." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Certainly, madam." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "That sounds a little paradoxical." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father really the only notable feature about the thing." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up unprofitable." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in darkness. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do fat-encircled eyes. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just coroner's jury." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some conclusions. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "That sounds a little paradoxical." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that was used.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from interest. They are important, you understand, without being help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Eh? What was that?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect through." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Pray be precise as to details," said he. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "No legal papers or certificates?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Certainly, madam." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "How do you know, then?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled galvanised. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, present." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and good-night and bustled off upon her way. within hail.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us.