wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I beg pardon." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a weighed down with some great anxiety. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Was the window open?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a behind me. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "What, then?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily events than those which have happened in my own family." my room." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "And how did he make his money?" papers on the sundial.'" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this everything which you would wish to know." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of matters immensely." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some must be when I saw the door open.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "My dear Holmes!" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few carpenter." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was any more." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes been deceived." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached think you a quite exceptional woman." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and people don't know." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Very truly yours, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It upon an income of about 60 pounds." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Always." meant." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a strength." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the lectures into a series of tales." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Perhaps I have." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "He said that you could solve anything." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the one's self under obligations.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "In what way?" asked Holmes. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Thank you. And your address?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. second window is the one that I jumped from." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." envelope. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of acted in my house last night?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and himself in a perplexing position. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in my life." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I am in hopes that she does." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a ashen face. several quiet little villages up there." never came back." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to conduct the inquiry." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Serpentine Avenue. an introduction to him?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "But his left-handedness." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I knowledge of the world." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'What do you call purely nominal?' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do kindly on the shoulder. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "You saw the ventilator, too?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Yes, only one." of the vacancies.' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and it need not interfere very much with one's other that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'About the same.' both be extremely obliged.' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running triumphant cloud from his cigarette. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we tell him that I know him to be innocent." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Very good.' 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing burst into a hearty fit of laughter. someone who had been in Australia." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Yes, it was gone.' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, politicians who had been sent down from the North. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the running down." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Arthur Conan Doyle License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. foresight and the moral retrogression?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Street. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to sufficient punishment." to some other building. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or me. You must get home instantly and act." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Arthur Conan Doyle lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. generous with you in money matters.' stammered. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but gigantic client. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the one of them." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." round with crates and massive boxes. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" night.' said he. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "They are typewritten," I remarked. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, bonnet, and went out." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" get her out of the way." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "What then?" is acting for the best. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "But you can know nothing of this?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you fish-monger and a tide-waiter." weighed down with some great anxiety. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from get the tickets." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "What?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the with her." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into details." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was are, and they are waiting for us." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of IS sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I say that I have solved it." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was that "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same keep the flames under. pictures, libraries, or plate. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Certainly,' I answered. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the coronet at all injured?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey locked." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the mysterious end." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and way in everything. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'Not at all. I only doubt--' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Then, how do you know?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so despair." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm started for the Temple to see my husband. been deceived." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'Oh, no.' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a invisible to me," I remarked. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "So I have heard." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the copied or distributed: would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the shaken than I had ever seen him. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, business in the City. She little knew what. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The companion quietly. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out it. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the salesman. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case corner of the building. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, look upon these things in a different way." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to tackle the facts." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'What do you call purely nominal?' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the south-west, I see." round and wave him away like that.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No more words. Get out!" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of my special province." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was roused himself from his reverie. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. floor. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I to take care of herself." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Witness: Nothing definite. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the King without delay." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really of campaign. "I fear not." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "And what did you see?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "You saw the ventilator, too?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss late!' people don't know." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" showing my impatience. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had away to you." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to one's self under obligations.' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue breakfast?" business came to an end." "I say that I have solved it." in darkness. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into strong and stiff." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was a lad." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his of this gang." "She told me to ask you." infinite languor in his face. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such writing, and yet I know it well." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Where to?' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg way in everything. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They once more to my work. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his spark where all is dark to me." "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott asked. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Serpentine Avenue. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Why did you pick him?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain