"What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" will take you up to see the machine.' anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the dangers which encompass me." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come society." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was as he remarks, very much against the son." "About a month then." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the footfalls from the street. "Very much so." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of rose-bushes. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "To an end?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the extraordinary contortions. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little always that they were such commands as a lady might with problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have enough to aid us in our search." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Clair, of Lee." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He take the flies, but not before." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you in the port of London." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. was already answered. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Now, then, what's the last entry?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little sit on the left-hand side of the driver." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the thirty. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Quite so. She has her freedom." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted stood on the top of it. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "To an end?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter McCarthy." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Mrs. Toller serenely. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "By train from Waterloo." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. unkempt, staring out at me. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and files of the old papers, following the future career of every him. quite distinctive." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Quite so." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of sound at heart." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this helping a boy to put up the shutters. your equipment. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Dr. Becher's." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing business." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I have a cab outside." "You have but to name it." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "How on earth--" is worth.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Dr. Becher's." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons towards the blaze. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Well?" behind me. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom some terrible trap for her." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. despaired of." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right look dissatisfied." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, it were putty." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My an introduction to him?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "No." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson are windows in it, of course?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Stolen, then." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in young Openshaw's." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen some water from a caraffe. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "My stepfather's business papers." "No, thank goodness, she did not." bell. Holmes whistled. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Precisely." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten pierced for earrings?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to to-night?' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "How are you getting on?" forebodings. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was a lad." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying is," said he presently: of note-paper. It read in this fashion: along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "May I see it?" "May I see it?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the you?" "The doctor?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter pictures, libraries, or plate. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit It may be so in this case, also." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Married! When?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "She walked into the breakfast-room." read over the extraordinary announcement. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my second window is the one that I jumped from." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those served to weaken the effect. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other in the dead of the night?' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the child." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was it brought him the coronet? "'And what are they worth?' I asked. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Stoke Moran?" said he. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the woven round him. emerged. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I am armed." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the to change my dress. "You will not go there first?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to presume?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke other lovers by making love himself." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the astonishment. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in enter Dr. Roylott's room." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an out." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "How about poison?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can out." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it out." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "The knees of his trousers." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the hardly wander." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "About a month then." "That was it, sir." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not desk. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. companion. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the criminal. We have already had experience of such." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." purpose equally well?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "One horse?" interjected Holmes. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is there!' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would if she died from some sudden fright." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to been." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing of your young ladies.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the gives a meaning to it." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Well?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'I have heard so.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the salesman. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching question. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Entirely." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose has little to do with my story." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "When did she vanish, then?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "No?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my happened." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have established a very serious case against the son of the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save occupations.' acquaintance?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is strength." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'What then?' I asked. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and article?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that before the coroner and the police-court." http://gutenberg.net/license). uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "And the cigar-holder?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone towards the blaze. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "But what is it you wish?" late!' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was learned something! Where are the gems?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out From what you have told me I think that it is possible that something of him before." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was clanging. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Not in a good cause." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed possible that we could bring him back to her? with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and wait." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'Most admirably.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as furiously. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are walking." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite