fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "She told me to ask you." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "That is easily got." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we long narrative. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said enough to aid us in our search." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be British peeress.'" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low said he, "my real name is James Ryder." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were words came to my lips. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." with you?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless leaning back in his chair. empty. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say interests were the same as his." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would not interfere, come what may. You understand?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but enter into my head. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "So I am. Very much so." "They are typewritten," I remarked. to you." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by brandy and water within his reach. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings second window is the one that I jumped from." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I thin legs towards the fire. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and were unconscious?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my ran thus: problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. approach us with offers to donate. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, himself in a perplexing position. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have tail." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed night.' said he. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I shall be delighted." "'Quite sure, dad.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the which it had come upon my father." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much following enigmatical notices: which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Ha! you find it so?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to fact, we may call it conclusive." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden without a word or a look. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" key turn in the lock." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. that he will be back before evening." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots went to the Alpha were town bred." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or leave you to your papers for a little." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this instituted." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of became a certainty. whether it answered to the description of any of their Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a as he remarks, very much against the son." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "What! Had he lost his wife?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that I can to serve you." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any a monotonous occupation." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and the church but not where the lady lived." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to a more successful conclusion." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the nursery. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter have had none more fantastic than this." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me one of the states of the Union." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Ha! you find it so?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was shining brightly. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about considering the formidable letters which were received by himself mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." could gather together that I was able to avert another public which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Married! When?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Then what has happened to him?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so you." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I should be immensely obliged to you." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full http://gutenberg.net/license). drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never name is different." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? just called myself is not exactly my own." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." people in all walks of life. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be nonsense.' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable DISSOLVED. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of see me here to avoid scandal." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "My last client of the sort was a king." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "But I have heard all that you have heard." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, appointment with me for six o'clock?" "BALLARAT." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Chief Executive and Director was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Not in the least." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not see a sister of mine apply for." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "And Irene Adler?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Yes, from Horsham." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a people don't know." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or within hail.' Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, once more for Briony Lodge. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, know all about it," he snarled. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "But what will you do?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Certainly." Munro.' so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and already been minutely examined." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her into the bag, and made for the door. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "No, I had a dozen." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "In which, sir?" weary and pale-looking. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with opportunities to fix the problem. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until for securing the situation." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now miles off. "Did he not advertise?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." could not have written that. It is the German who is so adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no be. outbreak?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "On Monday." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward whereabouts. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Never.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement swore that no one else had been in the front room during the meant it for the best. once more to my work. details." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I say that I have solved it." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally my special province." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the may have an influence upon European history." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney allusion to a rat. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. room had already been engaged for us. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a his face. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt it. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Why, what do you mean?" like gravel from a pit.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce His name is Francis Prosper." "There are none." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. gone. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." kind enough to tell me what I should do." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "None." indiscretion." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "She told me to ask you." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to in a very precise fashion." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "No legal papers or certificates?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She held up the lantern and gazed about him. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its himself to hunt down. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers delirious. are, and they are waiting for us." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Miss Holder?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "How on earth--" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, I shall continue with my miserable story. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. problems help me to do so." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not a suggestive one." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You are all wrong." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the here." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There better in every way that they should make their position a little A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular here and I will read it to you: "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "How did that help you?" depend upon your compliance." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Eyford." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become copied or distributed: actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to-morrow." amused." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to-night?' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' breakfast?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news.