already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should furiously. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Yes." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as careless servant girl?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an careless servant girl?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I shoulder. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. neither fascinating nor artistic." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "No." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the congenial hunt. room had already been engaged for us. beg that you will break it off." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a you for a few hours?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I am still in the dark." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the desk. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may maiden herself was most instructive." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in have an American origin." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" one else, I think." any more." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in them?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey always that they were such commands as a lady might with that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught gone before you can get him to hospital." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite people in all walks of life. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And how did he make his money?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the Assizes." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "But you can know nothing of this?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." ceremony." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Nor running a chance of arrest?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am weary and pale-looking. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Where, then?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal round with crates and massive boxes. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on point our research must commence, and we will begin it by premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' detained." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There washing it down with a long draught of water. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I was afraid that you were engaged." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Did he not advertise?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend our word." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Dr. Gregory B. Newby and I shall be with you presently." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "And sit in the dark?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "And why?" outside. "But she could not love him." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, that I am arrested." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I shall continue with my miserable story. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over them?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to indiscretion." them?" "Have you it here?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I putting in the horse. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I she used." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the stones. "Thank you. Pray proceed." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of man. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Doctor, of the paper and the date." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Can I be of assistance?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside joking. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the again on its way. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It is possible." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Stolen, then." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "It was an hour's good drive." "It is possible." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The Coroner: What do you mean? was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you place, I think that there is good ground to think that the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the driver. "No, distinctly professional." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "He is dead," cried several voices. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and what I may call a really hard day's work." http://gutenberg.net/license). planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began so.' "And your mother is alive?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the comes from the middle window." "It was an hour's good drive." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to ceremony." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." seen the man in the road." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very of receipt of the work. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his must be when I saw the door open.' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "But how will you look?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's matter." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, had picked up in the wood. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Not yet." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high did not hear it also.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the room while you explain this matter?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not 11:15.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been said Mr. Holder. "Breckinridge is his name." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and writing, and yet I know it well." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the one as in the other." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It is possible." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that letters?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Not in the least." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be death." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of campaign. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE shaken than I had ever seen him. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to your room." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then fashion which was peculiar to him. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between families. Now for the facts. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had absorbing." back to my heart. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great she to prove their authenticity?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You were travelling in the States?" better in every way that they should make their position a little good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'Which dealer's?' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely he died? across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Ample." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I will do it." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of emerged. here and I will read it to you: sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I was not a bird to be seen there. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." morning." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback persecution?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain acted in my house last night?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'I have already given you my word.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources tension within him. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old just ask you whether you had heard it.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last as yours." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I must compliment you." one which it was hard to resist. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Henry Baker is a member." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and get her out of the way." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fait accompli?" "And what did you learn from him?" long narrative. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream yet." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it go back?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his who was a member of your goose club." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I have seen the police." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper yourselves in at night?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until might have a private word with us. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we to affect your life." said he. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, of the way of danger. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale,