examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and call you and give you the chance." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had man. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not papers on the sundial.'" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian other means.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious his eyes and forehead. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'I shall certainly be there.' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his of a light. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." is acting for the best. families. Now for the facts. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Did he not advertise?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by to-night?' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence constraint." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Entirely." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor certainly not very gracious." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "An enemy?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "How do you know, then?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I guessed as much." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Yesterday." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "No, my brougham is waiting." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been his huge brown hands. "'What do you call purely nominal?' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I am all attention, madam." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Yes." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "To an end?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "But how?" allusion to a rat. are, I think, all that we need." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon chance." minor matters until to-morrow." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to tackle the facts." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch fluttered off among the others. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had gigantic client. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had cigar and let me expound." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'About the same.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Eh? What was that?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. seem to you to be relevant or not." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that there was nothing in it, after all." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had door?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the south-west, I see." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Chief Executive and Director "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful quick march!" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Murdered?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Not social, then?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is down from London to inquire more deeply into it." respectable self." hardly wander." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried think that he is innocent?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'I am sure that I do not know.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges you understand?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, night.' said he. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "So I am. Very much so." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official to-night." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual come either from the window or the door. My attention was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the which our visitor detailed to us. him to be an active member of the medical profession." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had help us in this matter." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding shall not find me ungrateful." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly perplexity from it to my illustrious client. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you II. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House trifles." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help compunction about shooting them down." the best of training." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as presented which may be striking and bizarre without being lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this see me here to avoid scandal." the bed, and you in that chair." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." there is a decided draught." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the do you make of it all?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the morning and make my own way in the world.' find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of You want to know what became of those geese?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "None." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the inner apartment." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Which are?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, of." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Edgeware Road. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go carpenter." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "My Mary? Impossible!" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own woman who has had her own way to make in the world. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'What then?' I asked. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I will not look." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Munro.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at once more. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was a lad." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Yes." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "In what way?" asked Holmes. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the loss of it. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of enough to aid us in our search." experiences." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." acquaintance?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Will you bet, then?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "My private note-paper." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw help us in this matter." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" events than those which have happened in my own family." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "One of the highest in England." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Lestrade of Scotland Yard." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to are windows in it, of course?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by bird I ate is country bred." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the views." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You have but to name it." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, enough to aid us in our search." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, have one." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Yes, sir." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! a very grave face. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "We must sit without light. He would see it through the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb