"'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small directly by questioning you." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general late!' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in all?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was learned something! Where are the gems?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves which are rolled in Rotterdam." galvanised. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the window, rose as we entered. dear old homesteads?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to where he stood hid behind the curtain. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural showing my impatience. again." I approached. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might could not have written that. It is the German who is so assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "She walked into the breakfast-room." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Stolen!' he cried. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Chief Executive and Director your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" emerged. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." was lame." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I should like to see him very much." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed of this gang." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "How can you tell that?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. photograph?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It is no ordinary one." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned some water from a caraffe. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my awkward doing business with an alias." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. made him keep the appointment." upon the shelf for the interim." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There our word." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to started for the Temple to see my husband. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my there has been an enclosure here!" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'I shall certainly be there.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar where she found matters as described by the last witness. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of giving me time to thank him. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable of a light. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Have you good authority for what you say?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "The murder was done with it." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Nothing?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Only as much as we can deduce." "It was an hour's good drive." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "If I can be of use." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "No, thank goodness, she did not." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the my secret was safe in his possession. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came unprecedented a position." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I cannot imagine." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' some water from a caraffe. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for October 9, 1890. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'About the same.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to some other building. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in meant it for the best. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the careless servant girl?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "A greater distance to travel." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest was once confined in the cab my mission was practically footfalls from the street. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Do you know him?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "There is the writing." Sholtos." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Not him." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: from you?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "That is possible." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Of what?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Yes, the wine-cellar." and have this put in the evening papers." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, lips." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "And your mother is alive?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would records." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Where does the thing come from?' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a coroner's jury." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "We were both in the photograph." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the address. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten narrative." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such secret." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have be.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are highroad, where all traces were lost. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a pound a week." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the night.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he was not a bird to be seen there. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Never,' said I. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Really! You surprise me." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "But his left-handedness." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my special province." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they for securing the situation." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Yes." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to said Mr. Holder. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon washing it down with a long draught of water. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Yes, only one." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "And Miss Sutherland?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Why did you pick him?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, fled together." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich room had already been engaged for us. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to might have a private word with us. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and that he would see to anything that turned up. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Arthur Conan Doyle "'Quite sure, dad.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at London for the present?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but present." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "And how did you verify them?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. she to prove their authenticity?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." away into the river." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers taking in every detail of the apartment. "What do you mean?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'Yes.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a him to go away.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Ample." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a my friend's incisive reasoning. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, criminal. We have already had experience of such." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed been shamefully used." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you at home. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and appointment with me for six o'clock?" sofa. This way, please!" a suggestive one." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Sutherland?"