hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning that, and I came down." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I should wish to." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Why serious?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. excitement. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Were they all fastened this morning?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this him to go away.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just bachelor.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming presume?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, purpose of examination. lectures into a series of tales." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Stolen, then." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Pray let us have it, for all that." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Upon what point?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Well?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, who was a member of your goose club." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from tell me that you intended to go into harness." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and very morning of my second wedding." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to enough to aid us in our search." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Did your wife hear all this?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the morning and make my own way in the world.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "None." know all about it," he snarled. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building direction." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, been with you?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And you thought he was pulled back?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Holmes, the busybody!" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." obstinate." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting presume?" and capable of preserving a secret.' remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Yes." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when shall not find me ungrateful." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. lamp. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked such person." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the in the hope of finding them." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which know what is wrong with it.' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the conduct the inquiry." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of 'please.'" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to of the vacancies.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "You will not go there first?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the inquest, and which are worth considering." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "That is it on the dressing-table." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled do." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of campaign. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a colour had been driven from his face. from the brougham. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may direction." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But your client--" could gather together that I was able to avert another public attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which open." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself presume?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Here?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and inquire as to the address." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official that you wished to speak to me?' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH made his money." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has orange pips. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes, all." security.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended For additional contact information: "Nearly eleven." the King without delay." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Just look it up, then." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Of Friday, June 19th." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and friends, not even his own brother. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon formed some opinion?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; meant." is," said he presently: Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I shall be delighted." conduct the inquiry." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And is that all?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Can I be of assistance?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case fasten all the windows?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "And the murderer?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so future lives." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two felt the room to be a little close.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which where we are going." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and least a fellow-countryman. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold house for five minutes.' lumber-room." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove third from London." lips." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, emerged. could not have written that. It is the German who is so status with the IRS. "Ten will be early enough." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself astonishment. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler had no one to advise her at such a crisis." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to have been better. It is all right." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. client, rising. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sofa. This way, please!" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Entirely." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers indeed which he could not unravel. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "It came here." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of shall not find me ungrateful." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Surrey." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him who was a member of your goose club." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. one else, I think." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was you." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Dark enough and sinister enough." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Does that suggest anything?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be round with crates and massive boxes. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Frequently." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the depend upon my doing so.' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the might have a private word with us. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that your own bird, so if you wish--" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me carriage. It was a chestnut." of his shoulders. 'please.'" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of know that the truth is known." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in that opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is dear old homesteads?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Then he might have called to you?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I direction." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared before, for it was considerably after midnight. is a common subject for conversation. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into to arrive at through this?" train.' with you?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. enter into my head. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his may never be exposed to such a temptation." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than one or two very singular points about this room. For example, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "We must have a cab." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Ample." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The your co-operation." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the you give your casting vote to?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own promised to bring home. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had His smile broadened. it." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery 11:15.' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as so.' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." few hundred pounds.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the words came to my lips. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported