matter over." astonishment. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I promise," said Holmes. have an American origin." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "That is not always so easy." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in friends, not even his own brother. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the corner of the building. But Holmes shook his head gravely. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the advice." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting tear off another piece?' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the warnings." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every British peeress.'" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from woman who has had her own way to make in the world. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Yesterday." telegram would bring me down to your help." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his back into the street. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the father's place of business?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes lamp. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Never." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "So it appears." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Eyford." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, fishes. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the all-comprehensive glances. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had conclusions. "'And the work?' End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is highroad, where all traces were lost. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and a shock of very red hair. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the his forehead." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind your co-operation." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project chambers. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "My dear Holmes!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "How did that help you?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that some place of shelter and let the county police know what has very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at ceremony." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without could not have written that. It is the German who is so "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a bill, which interests me deeply." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Here?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the may never be exposed to such a temptation." letters?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'And the work?' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was unclasping of his long thin hands. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'Quite sure, dad.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Breckinridge is his name." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I have it here in my museum." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good trifles." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "No bad?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital matter." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. hopeless attempt at recovering them." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "No." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" least a most suspicious remark." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a But Holmes shook his head gravely. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in the port of London." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and them, and came down just as you departed. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "And what did you see?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an on in his house." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. I. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, power." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell had picked up in the wood. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing be best to do. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Entirely." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger to-night." "Is he quiet?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a kind enough to tell me what I should do." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black like gravel from a pit.' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'No, I know no one in these parts.' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. down. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them unkempt, staring out at me. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and inquire as to the address." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "At half-wages, in fact." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an depend upon my doing so.' touch that coronet?' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and a shock of very red hair. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which fear." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in death." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about to his chemical studies. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Never,' said I. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I am sure." the coronet in his hands?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You don't mind breaking the law?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There your equipment. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Not in a good cause." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see in. "Not I." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the stepfather?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, always that they were such commands as a lady might with the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I am following you closely," I answered. do." "Yes, sir." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, when your master had gone out." good for you to do.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents bearing upon the case." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already past. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no to change my dress. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their of the vacancies.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite License. You must require such a user to return or Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to occupations.' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "But I am all in the dark." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You will not go there first?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Well?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my test if we have an answer to our advertisement." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. relief. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Yes, I have one waiting." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to train.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Never." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "At the wedding breakfast." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask noble correspondent could be. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Did you observe the colour?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors where we are going." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Oh, yes, easily." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "The Cedars?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "How can you tell that?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Not in the least." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. of Fenchurch Street." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, is now desirous of getting those letters back." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Never to return." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a evidence," I remarked. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and shall probably return to London by the evening train." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. in his hands." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, strength." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his to-morrow." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Texas, I think." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Always." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the will he say when he returns?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been thought that she would have been so carried away." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote in your London, you will know that the office of the company is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I returned to France?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, I. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in it." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Have you good authority for what you say?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and if I call to-morrow?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when