By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It behind me. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present correct than the official force." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Why, it's a dummy," said he. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we since then to throw any light upon what became of him." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I am in hopes that she does." "Was he the only applicant?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Farm upon the left." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been said he. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which For additional contact information: "Not yet." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming appointment with me for six o'clock?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I a very grave face. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry bachelor.' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "But we can't all be." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Not him." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the occurred." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I say it is." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Was she in good spirits?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "And help." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Street. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the King without delay." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "That is also quite modern," said the lady. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "You did not overhear what they said?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you make me his representative both with the servants and with the go back?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such murdered man." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but than was visible to me." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "It is a murder, then?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King like that before?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. within hail.' do you make of it all?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 'please.'" vanished into the darkness. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Lee, in the county of Kent." "What do you make of that, Watson?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my ways of our fellow-men." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save handed it to him. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Never,' said I. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, overpowering excitement and concern. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Pray let us have it, for all that." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But I am all in the dark." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Just look it up, then." I. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major colonel looking down at me. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "This concluded the examination of the witness." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the tragedy. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In way in." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A cause to be." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations room had already been engaged for us. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me thin, with a long, sharp nose?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "And sit in the dark?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah brain must have something in it." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way spark where all is dark to me." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was one else, I think." time." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled fled together." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, quick march!" anything to do with the matter?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "It goes to the housekeeper's room." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his how narrow had been my escape. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one once more. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me make me his representative both with the servants and with the me what he had done with the three missing stones. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It was an hour's good drive." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Seven!" I answered. chamber." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I cannot as yet see any connection." the coronet at all injured?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. kind enough to tell me what I should do." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did are, and they are waiting for us." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A comes from the middle window." "And you can do nothing until then?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. purpose of examination. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had companion. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "An accident, I presume?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant matter." "You think so, too?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "You think that he is dead?" prepare for the new role I have to play." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like there when the Rucastles went away." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to-night?' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But our word." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I say that I have solved it." at my remark. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "And from a noble client?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The maid will bring up your coffee." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds http://gutenberg.net/license). slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy locked. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small be there in time for your coming." "When did she vanish, then?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I was mad--insane." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled window when the police appeared." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his once more. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story whatever might befall. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the bottom.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to-morrow." footfalls from the street. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Where, then?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the past. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our certainly do as you advise." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I am all attention, madam." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in have got?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there McCarthy's innocence. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "How did he come?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "What will you say?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step despaired of." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the definite end. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I have hopes." remarked. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with fattened it expressly for you.' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to light and attacked it." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she have accepted such a situation. directors, with the result that you have seen." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this she has been waylaid. There has been no result." forehead. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up nothing of it?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and inquire as to the address." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." matter over." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began cigars in their mouths. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." him!" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for followed. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" been." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "No sign of it?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Holmes' thin, eager face. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "He might." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now notes," he said. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Certainly." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there less than 26s. 4d. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical laugh and put his lips to my ear. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat