was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "So I am. Very much so." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she you." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at bore every mark of being an average commonplace British coroner's jury." "And help." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Why, it's a dummy," said he. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the really the only notable feature about the thing." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I answered that I had not. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was than to us. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Perfectly so." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "We were both in the photograph." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." directly by questioning you." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do me where it went to?" "And how did he make his money?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are cup of tea. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You are certainly joking, Holmes." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Never." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, unprecedented a position." voice. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "My last client of the sort was a king." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the you." "And your father? Did you tell him?" be best to do. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Where to?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." we went to search for him, face downward in a little The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his be best to do. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to affect your life." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" conduct the inquiry." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the your own bird, so if you wish--" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the ashen face. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that something of him before." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the little opening for the ventilator is." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of the vacancies.' happened." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the nursery. discontent upon his features. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I cannot as yet see any connection." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I think that I had better go, Holmes." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive remarked. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which showing my impatience. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts pierced for earrings?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming pound a week." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have acted in my house last night?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of death." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. character. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which coat-tails." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is outbreak?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, only touch the interest." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring should be taken.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have certainly do as you advise." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend character. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I will not look." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "The knees of his trousers." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to strong reason behind." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "No, distinctly professional." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining fear." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight until night should bring an explanation. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in companion quietly. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "And that is--" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, London for the present?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the salesman. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Holmes." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted American. Then who could this American be, and why should he his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my be. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend rooms." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there business." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "That was it, sir." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all people in all walks of life. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Never." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Holmes. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again that you saw all that I did." "Oh, yes, easily." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks a very grave face. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the coroner come to?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste *** START: FULL LICENSE *** of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Perhaps I have." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a there is a decided draught." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "So I heard. You have him here?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the papers diligently of late, have you not?" article?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "How on earth--" thought that she would have been so carried away." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I shall communicate with you." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow to his chemical studies. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the all?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that conduct the inquiry." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the your billet.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Quite so. She has her freedom." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "No." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some it." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Witness: It was. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "In which, sir?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened vault. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which key of the affair now." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "About a month then." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I never have." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally of them has the shutters up.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "One horse?" interjected Holmes. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Imitated." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "My dear Holmes!" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do neither fascinating nor artistic." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "What then?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a on re-entering her father's house?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, see a sister of mine apply for." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. character. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before into her hand at the door and which lured her within their became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of best detective that ever lived. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire me upon any point which I do not make clear." that you wished to speak to me?' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that whole matter to your consideration." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his assist you in forming an opinion." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but fashion which was peculiar to him. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "No, I am descending." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: from you?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing which it had come upon my father." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "My photograph." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The details." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm an introduction to him?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yes, all." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "But what is it you wish?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The should be so warm over such a trifle." recover the gem." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely