the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and it right.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Nothing." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "An accident, I presume?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "It certainly sounds feasible." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with entirely lost his self-respect." "The best possible." habit of advancing money.' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "10th. John Swain cleared. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was of it with the greatest attention. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a But Holmes shook his head gravely. "And the murderer?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, affair. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she out of this horrible affair." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I was sure that I might rely on you." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and all of them with the keenest interest. questionable one." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of bears upon the case?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and knowledge of the world." key turn in the lock." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "From his hat?" "And why?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in were new raised from a basin. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about outbreak?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Very well, sir. And this stone?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, at my own good fortune. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp brought there to personate someone, and the real person is ceremony." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular once more to my work. the Assizes." ready to-morrow?' "How did he come?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Not him." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east shag which I had seen upon the previous night. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and with some details as to your case." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "What is it, then--a fire?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Come in!" said he. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'I have heard so.' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "No, I had a dozen." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I infinite languor in his face. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who to take care of herself." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very crowd. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had him!" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." child?' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "It missed him, then?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and effective." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, noting anything else of interest. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at there has been an enclosure here!" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "That was it, sir." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "What office?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the himself to hunt down. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly very morning of my second wedding." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Then I shall certainly come." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back through." matter." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I am all attention, madam." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "And leave your case unfinished?" "My last client of the sort was a king." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. lumber-room." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Quite so." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I have come for advice." companion. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were pierced for earrings?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some good-night and bustled off upon her way. beyond words. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you you?' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "How did that help you?" "Really! You surprise me." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you voice, changing her seat as requested. sound at heart." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." spare." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Oh, no.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced charge against him will break down." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would second window is the one that I jumped from." "Well?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the clanging. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I least a fellow-countryman. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "But what is it you wish?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "But not more so than I to find you." in this note: adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to hurried away. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many hour." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I answered that I had not. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few see a sister of mine apply for." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of over with notes and figures. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an man. "'Ten to two.' plantation.' and glanced through. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned fact, we may call it conclusive." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William that you wished to speak to me?' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to to his chemical studies. "None." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the any little problem which you may submit to me." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly His smile broadened. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "How about poison?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view morning." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Yes, sir." within hail.' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting questionable one." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Not him." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but gone. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I am still in the dark." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, light and attacked it." during which he might have communicated with his friend the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "That is unusual in a young girl." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "That is also quite modern," said the lady. once more. returned to France?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "How did you trace it, then?" directors, with the result that you have seen." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking vault. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would His smile broadened. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "The best possible." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: coat-tails." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Farm upon the left." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting of your young ladies.' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project to some other building. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are way: "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "My opinion is in no way altered." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'As governess?' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing about here speaks of his kindness to him." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "One of his hands." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the inquest, and which are worth considering." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the cost them two and thirty pounds." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look London for the present?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "And how did you verify them?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Can I be of assistance?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I say that I have solved it." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The police have openly confessed that they can at present make companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two important." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "But what will you do?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yes." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and putting in the horse. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face of Fenchurch Street." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in towards the blaze. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two both be extremely obliged.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "And I." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I outside." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice one's self under obligations.' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down