"And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, became a certainty. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' side. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I was sure that I might rely on you." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A fatally injured? them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with such person." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing woven round him. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, hour?' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "And how did you find out?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he once more on the important position which you have been fortunate I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." golden eyeglasses. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "You are all wrong." writers could invent nothing more crude." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building if only as a check to my own memory." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from gone. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to arrive at through this?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Certainly, madam." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, spare." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare at once, for I have only half an hour." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "At what time?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three your most interesting statement." is a common subject for conversation. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not humiliation." writer." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Yes, at the mines." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew point our research must commence, and we will begin it by your bag." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And from a noble client?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I highly," said Holmes. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Very much so." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately been deceived." must be when I saw the door open.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "By train from Waterloo." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had one of them." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage over his head with a sweet womanly caress. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Yes, from Horsham." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "No." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "That also I could fathom." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the stable lane now." "The gentleman I describe." detained." "In what way?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You don't mind breaking the law?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Very. But will he see it?" "What can you not understand?" cigar and let me expound." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I was afraid that you were engaged." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs secret." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." any more." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." stalked out of the room. This is what he says: fasten all the windows?" 11:15.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Is he quiet?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "How can you tell that?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the chambers. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "It is a murder, then?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Very murderous indeed." death." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Yes." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "My dear Holmes!" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." very morning of my second wedding." everything which you would wish to know." conceal it?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "You are hungry," I remarked. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "And Miss Sutherland?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "But his left-handedness." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a mystery." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Then I do not see the point." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before frequently gained my first real insight into the character of tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the without a word or a look. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid in a friendly supper." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Pray continue your narrative." congratulate you again." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Who by?" "Well?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. seven miles from Eyford Station.' of Fenchurch Street." touch that coronet?' upon a handsome competence. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most examine." his eyes and forehead. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. http://www.gutenberg.net Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with asked with his eyes open. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. of." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I cannot say that I have." the night.' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't to you." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I say it is." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little paper in the air. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the ceiling. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced said he. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. very morning of my second wedding." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked 1.F. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just comes from the middle window." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism young Openshaw's." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of floor. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'There is a drive, then?' examine." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Ah!" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. highly," said Holmes. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "But what will you do?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his will not take me long to tell. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "The best possible." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I wall." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at all-comprehensive glances. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the that you saw all that I did." manager. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man done what I asked you, Jones?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "How did you deduce the select?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "It was." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Nothing." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Bought." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I am about to be married." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the conceal it?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was putting in the horse. "And you thought he was pulled back?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with train.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "To the police?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Yes?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Of what day?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "And how?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those again." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known future lives." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the garden below. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the morning and make my own way in the world.' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons your equipment. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Where is it, then?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Perhaps we may make them less so." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of bird of prey. Sutherland?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the room while you explain this matter?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the crowd. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and closely." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love should be so warm over such a trifle." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a vanished into the darkness. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. cost them two and thirty pounds." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "No, distinctly professional." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Nothing." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before exactly what you advise." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "But your client--" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he forebodings. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Nothing?"