"One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Always." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Yes." dramatic, in fact." legal crime." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And what then?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew knowledge of the world." "And the cigar-holder?" "Of what day?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. spark where all is dark to me." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At helping a boy to put up the shutters. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, becomes even more simple." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Yes." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Chief Executive and Director years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this despair." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste was already answered. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." my special province." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of campaign. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of disappearance of the bride.'" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and you?' "Murdered?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "But your client--" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." late!' "What is it?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to orange pips. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to this unhappy family?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their me where it went to?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, some hundreds of times." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and observed. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with questionable one." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I have I gained?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Holmes. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box questionable one." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I am about to be married." cigars in their mouths. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "May I see it?" one of them." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Where did you address your letters, then?" get her out of the way." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I am about to be married." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I leave." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." any little problem which you may submit to me." grasp, he hurried from the room. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. awkward doing business with an alias." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he peculiar to him. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "That sounds a little paradoxical." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it papers diligently of late, have you not?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the running down." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." six. Come in!" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "It is possible." have I gained?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "A confidential servant?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite six. Come in!" any more." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Holmes' face clouded over. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Which are?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no in one or two places in England?' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the instincts rose up against that laugh. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. flock.' did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Tired-looking or fresh?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the papers on the sundial.'" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was it brought him the coronet? indeed which he could not unravel. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. have I gained?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I outbreak?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Surrey." character. ashen face. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., you for a few hours?" detective. Edgeware Road. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I should be immensely obliged to you." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the so-precious time, but come!' were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It is no ordinary one." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "You think so, too?" room?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp most important business. It is probable that he will be away all which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it one of them." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Yes, certainly." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that or other trace. But how on earth--" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "In what way?" asked Holmes. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers off." awaited us upon the table. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, what these perils are?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day vague figure huddled up in the darkness. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, than was visible to me." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "ARAT," I read. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate instituted." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I chemical work which was so dear to him. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been go--none." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Surrey." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And help." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "In the cells." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate to have been novel and of interest." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Not social, then?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the conclusions. "No. What a strange idea!" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be will take you up to see the machine.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" you?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "A client, then?" man. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally new duties?' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do people in all walks of life. so far?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "They are typewritten," I remarked. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to desk. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall business." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would do." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Where, then?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He own family. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying had a long day." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his The events in question occurred in the early days of my there." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united generous with you in money matters.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking indeed which he could not unravel. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when for the market.' Foundation dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. enter Dr. Roylott's room." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, had picked up in the wood. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain comes from the middle window." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties place of silver." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich burst into a hearty fit of laughter. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I say that I have solved it." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "What then?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make placed his cuttings. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the salesman. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Pray tell us what has happened to you." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Well?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't threw himself down with his face to the pillow. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "A call for help, you thought?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, companion. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for you found me to-night--and running through the front room she quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton hardly wander." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "That sounds a little paradoxical." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every place of silver." and inquire as to the address." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. some city in a dream. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Tired-looking or fresh?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my brought there to personate someone, and the real person is them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go