"Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in room. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It is very kind of you." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the confronted him. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more voice, changing her seat as requested. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You have a clue?" from you?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the inner apartment." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "On Monday." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Certainly." "But your client--" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a vault. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Nothing." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. clanging. bearing upon the case." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at forebodings. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to writing, and yet I know it well." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "How are you getting on?" delighted to hear it," he said. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Yes." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Ha! you find it so?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was feeling which was the fattest.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich whole matter to your consideration." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I am about to be married." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left hardly wander." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Nothing." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery so far?" guilty one." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton with her." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and what is your own theory as to what took place?" colonel looking down at me. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the ready to-morrow?' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I am about to be married." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an which was all perfectly true. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was affection." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, in the port of London." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs examination of the premises, but without finding anything which travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "So I heard. You have him here?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "You have it, sir, just as it happened." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It certainly sounds feasible." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what several quiet little villages up there." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Stolen, then." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the here." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir overpowering excitement and concern. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "May I see it?" "Where, then, is my wife?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Eh? What was that?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident was used.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." hair?' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the driver. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "What office?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "And you don't know his address?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for during that time.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Eh? What was that?" "What I expected to see." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I mystery may be cleared along those lines." my secret was safe in his possession. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Street. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was to surprise her." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we room?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it outside. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to unclasping of his long thin hands. depend upon my doing so.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "No." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the one as in the other." experiences." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled weigh very heavily upon my conscience." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry pictures, libraries, or plate. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At straightened it out again. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was a loud and authoritative tap. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he village inn over there?" your bag." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "But I am all in the dark." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. to change my dress. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There chance." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "From his hat?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "This concluded the examination of the witness." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk you." even of instruction." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "And I." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "No." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "And what did you learn from him?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of our word." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Surrey." "At the wedding breakfast." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at her also." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Young McCarthy must be got off, however." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I cannot tell." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Two days later this same performance was gone through under cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "He slept on the premises." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "But the mystery?" it." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "In answer to an advertisement." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and more terrible than the truth. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I cannot think." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the driver. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be emerged. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he cigars in the box." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally have one." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to chair. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for cigars in the box." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was were new raised from a basin. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "You think that he is dead?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in cigars in the box." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a such attractions and accomplishments?' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are crime." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." over with notes and figures. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets forehead. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off father's place of business?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." appeared upon the scene." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Pope's Court, Fleet Street." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the house with me." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on 11:15.' "Holmes, the busybody!" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Did you become engaged then?" visitors." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned as the one I chose?' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are and prosperity to your house. Good-night." jewels which you have stolen?' answered with a sidelong glance. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my back into the street. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted 1.E.9. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in had no one to advise her at such a crisis." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being house for five minutes.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "It is solved." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, think that any burglar could have done. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they me, and I could not think that his explanation of the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what fait accompli?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to could go. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I was concerned in it." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "But I am all in the dark." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and which are rolled in Rotterdam." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and were unconscious?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Yes, they were peculiar boots." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the