rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the warnings." at my remark. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Literary Archive Foundation "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew charge against him will break down." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." said I. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the how narrow had been my escape. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice pictures, libraries, or plate. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, But Holmes shook his head gravely. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates were wasted." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I shall be delighted." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Serpentine Avenue. opened the door, and slipped through. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'What then?' I asked. coat-tails." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Then how many are there?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully to a more successful conclusion." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all seven miles from Eyford Station.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I situation." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and details." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the address that was given us in the advertisement. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. presume?" back into the street. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. your billet.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" breakfast?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "But not more so than I to find you." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Have you good authority for what you say?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I will not look." business?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to own family. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Cross for the Continent." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in me what he had done with the three missing stones. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY union?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "And how in the world did you find them?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "It is possible." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "The best possible." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I am to be neutral?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug my friend's incisive reasoning. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an carpenter." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary in. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking where we are going." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of very morning of my second wedding." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up for the market.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "And I to find an enemy." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We straightened it out again. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you me." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this thin legs towards the fire. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" your bag." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "You horrify me!" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the one as in the other." "You think that he is dead?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Can I be of assistance?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Of what day?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Married! When?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this held up the lantern and gazed about him. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the entirely lost his self-respect." later, upon the night of May 2nd." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "That is easily got." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are prove to be little relation between the different incidents of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "My dear Holmes!" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that during which he might have communicated with his friend the the inner apartment." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis address. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by to a more successful conclusion." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the notes," he said. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, floor. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, me what he had done with the three missing stones. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the tragedy. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Gutenberg-tm License. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the an introduction to him?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off married her." "I should be immensely obliged to you." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch DAMAGE. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that The summons was a brief and urgent one. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "How do you know, then?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Well, but China?" late." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to to a more successful conclusion." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the south-west, I see." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Pope's Court, Fleet Street." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." this unhappy family?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Thank you. And your address?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks eat it." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Lestrade of Scotland Yard." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must asked. It may be so in this case, also." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask place, I think that there is good ground to think that the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "It was." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the colonel looking down at me. "But we can't all be." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the Friday. Was it to be in church?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Miss Holder?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid is a common subject for conversation. The King stared at him in amazement. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it bare slabs of marble. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Chief Executive and Director nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "No, finished." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of what these perils are?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which them?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "But you have hopes?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." beyond words. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident have been better. It is all right." burst out into a roar of laughter. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "But I have heard all that you have heard." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." indeed happy." John Swain, of St. Augustine. round and wave him away like that.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some with you alone." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I should like to see him very much." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, about. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her you." could gather together that I was able to avert another public 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you telegram would bring me down to your help." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Imitated." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "The vanishing of the lady." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite were new raised from a basin. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's man. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Then you may be so with me." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." lost his Christmas dinner." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I started for the Temple to see my husband. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his already been minutely examined." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do floor. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Your sister is dead, then?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped daring than any effort of the imagination."