Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in a very precise fashion." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Of Friday, June 19th." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his stammered. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. better in every way that they should make their position a little "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "A client, then?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's arrested. You then--" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, other lovers by making love himself." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Stoke Moran." Holmes rather sternly. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'What do you call purely nominal?' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the matter?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Project Gutenberg-tm works. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But how?" "'What, the red-headed man?' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Holmes rather sternly. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I should like to see him very much." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction get the tickets." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Where, then, is my wife?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary said he, "my real name is James Ryder." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Yes, it would be as well." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the window, rose as we entered. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the this unhappy family?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." few hundred pounds.' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'Is purely nominal.' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "How often?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "To ruin me." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you go--none." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." strength." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something tension within him. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Never.' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was green of the new foliage. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You forget that I know nothing about it." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the learned something! Where are the gems?" "Where is it, then?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I villagers almost as much as their master. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Won't it ring?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I would pay ten." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I would pay ten." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different possible that we could bring him back to her? "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. of it with the greatest attention. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" a very grave face. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I have seen the police." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, his cane at the bell-pull. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while it were putty." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would populous neighbourhood." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man did not hear it also.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little outbreak?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a away into the river." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." views." "But how?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I will, Miss Turner." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, certainly not very gracious." "In what way?" asked Holmes. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Certainly." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with pressing in one house as in another. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "What can you not understand?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked even so self-evident a thing as that." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and put his glass in his pocket. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time it were putty." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'Never.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Yes, sir." Again Holmes raved in the air. My friend smiled. ashen face. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what in one or two places in England?' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded not interfere, come what may. You understand?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are over with notes and figures. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Where could I find him?' character. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of of Mr. Rucastle's." "I came to find a friend." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had have an American origin." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave think that any burglar could have done. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "And who is her maid?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you residence of the great financier. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I am about to be married." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get man. weary and pale-looking. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the be.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. said I. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Serpentine Avenue. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, experiences." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of made him keep the appointment." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the coronet at all injured?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end together. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it late!' to take care of herself." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he of a light. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when The telegram which we eventually received came late one night as the one I chose?' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of the vacancies.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I was afraid that you were engaged." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no happened." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy his face. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business You want to know what became of those geese?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her families. Now for the facts. "I see no marks." "You think so, too?" and capable of preserving a secret.' "I should be immensely obliged to you." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and your only hope of safety." to that open window." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he had formerly been in part my own. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid do.' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "No." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so train from Paddington which would bring you there at about triumphant cloud from his cigarette. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" rooms." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were dates and names. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, your co-operation." little trying to do so much typewriting?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that congenial hunt. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "How did he come?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Eh? What was that?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the garden below. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Have you good authority for what you say?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See never will be, entirely cleared up. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the walking." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I it with his own hands." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It missed him, then?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite bedroom door." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "He slept on the premises." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to events than those which have happened in my own family." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of figure." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for must compliment you." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were coroner's jury." "Where did he live, then?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I should be immensely obliged to you." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I cannot say that I have." remarked. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the one as in the other." "You are hungry," I remarked. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And how?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was friend's singular character. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Yes." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without desk. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." fluttered off among the others. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached