Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Precisely." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Of Friday, June 19th." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I were unconscious?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in John Swain, of St. Augustine. certainly not very gracious." questioning and rather startled gaze. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "What! Had he lost his wife?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the chance." the warnings." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn gives a meaning to it." at my own good fortune. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Miss Holder?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his huge brown hands. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he if only as a check to my own memory." followed. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, here." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the bearing upon the case." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are furiously. hard-headed British jury." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "How often?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. money should be paid at once.' "She showed me, as I told you she would." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "And the murderer?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 power." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Never,' said I. "Where, indeed?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for any." "'About the same.' gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' McCarthy." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if introspective fashion. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, child?' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." golden eyeglasses. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is one's self under obligations.' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "But you can know nothing of this?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of weapon." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful gentleman's clothes. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you in yours." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fear." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and all of them with the keenest interest. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he lips." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Won't it ring?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can few hundred pounds.' very old mansion. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Most admirably.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your miles off. showing my impatience. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "In San Francisco, a year ago." and have this put in the evening papers." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding your room." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Here?" "No, distinctly professional." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then useful material for showing traces. The double line a little collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your man. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Holmes. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "No, distinctly professional." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while pierced for earrings?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You meant it for the best. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up when your master had gone out." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Never to return." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not once more to my work. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the beg that you will break it off." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing without a word or a look. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "That is possible." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, my room." existence." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "None." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas him. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and effective." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. cigar and let me expound." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "What of the rat, then?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken had picked up in the wood. of it with the greatest attention. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "That's no good." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "The best possible." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than business at Coburg Square is serious." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two outside." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further was not a bird to be seen there. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' get her out of the way." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the read it out to me." door?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Never,' said I. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Then let me do so?' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "But of what society?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted him and tried to hold him back. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms my secret was safe in his possession. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "She showed me, as I told you she would." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "But your client--" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "And why in hopes?" strength in the others." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the fat-encircled eyes. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Yes, that is the Crown." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached only touch the interest." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the station." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to any little problem which you may submit to me." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I this as likely?" Watson," he said cordially. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not definite end. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Yes, it was twisted." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you bore every mark of being an average commonplace British happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What have you to say now?" it with his own hands." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "My photograph." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman IS creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. done what I asked you, Jones?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was feeling which was the fattest.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "No legal papers or certificates?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my into the bag, and made for the door. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For His smile broadened. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which again on its way. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to take care of herself." to that open window." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Eyford." in his power. man. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a woman." "Well." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. security.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the best of training." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles was a loud and authoritative tap. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." a suggestive one." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny guilty one." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all me, and I could not think that his explanation of the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Cross for the Continent." "It looks newer than the other things?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon experiences." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you bill, which interests me deeply." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Then what has happened to him?" "'Certainly,' I answered. evidence," I remarked. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham DAMAGE. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it helping a boy to put up the shutters. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit disappearance of these gems?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." vault. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I would give my fortune to have them back." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "What! Had he lost his wife?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, me. You must get home instantly and act." "What do you mean?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little maiden herself was most instructive." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "'Is 4 pounds a week.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. compunction about shooting them down." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I was afraid that you were engaged." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was union?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather,