since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I will, Miss Turner." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Yes, he did." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my developed." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "A call for help, you thought?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "On Monday." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, forebodings. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I am in hopes that she does." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of stalked out of the room. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into nights." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Not yet." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by straighten it?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my cigars in the box." "No, finished." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so used to be." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "But of what society?" "Not in the least." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I will get her to show me." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the carpenter." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Have you her photograph?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of the vacancies.' would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both heavily into it. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for pound a week." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Certainly." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I will try. What is it?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Yes, it would be as well." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Not I." little trying to do so much typewriting?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to sneer upon his pale face. "No, finished." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the from the brougham. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the best of training." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he not as remarkable as your advertisement." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of have got?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his past. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector bearing upon the case." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my fear." and that he would see to anything that turned up. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" enter into my head. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she will not take me long to tell. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Cross for the Continent." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I have had none more fantastic than this." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Certainly." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to talk it over. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with fluttered off among the others. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "This concluded the examination of the witness." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously certainly not very gracious." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I am in hopes that she does." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it you." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. long narrative. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the south-west, I see." pictures, libraries, or plate. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And you can do nothing until then?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Nothing?" "9th. McCauley cleared. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "But how could you guess what the motive was?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for answer." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was writing, and yet I know it well." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "What! a murderous attack?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'Quite sure, dad.' "But you can know nothing of this?" purpose of examination. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what if I call to-morrow?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Never." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Ample." the station." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to tell." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders writing, and yet I know it well." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fasten all the windows?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be ran thus: he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Leadenhall Street--and--" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey hardly wander." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the This is what he says: chair. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "By train from Waterloo." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could particular state visit http://pglaf.org a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Leave Paddington by the 11:15." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich asked. "And how did you verify them?" help us in this matter." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the bottom.' passage and a tap at the door. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "She told me to ask you." goes." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided go back?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'Oh, no.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, of it with the greatest attention. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" business?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "None." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Henry Baker is a member." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Countess of Morcar's?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you third from London." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Absolutely?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, go back?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "A client, then?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to me. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or away into the river." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some you give your casting vote to?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned whereabouts. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. License. You must require such a user to return or chance at all." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Well, it is a possible supposition." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "No legal papers or certificates?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I took the paper from him and read as follows: Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a charged with?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility or other trace. But how on earth--" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never get her out of the way." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from went to the Alpha were town bred." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I gone before you can get him to hospital." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" jewels which you have stolen?' "Was your sister dressed?" door?" help us in this matter." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a cost them two and thirty pounds." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "So I heard. You have him here?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes that there was nothing in it, after all." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "VIOLET HUNTER." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the ceremony." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. from the brougham. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, on re-entering her father's house?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Yes, certainly." "He disappeared so suddenly." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly bore every mark of being an average commonplace British cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the loss of it. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Not I." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' dramatic, in fact." of." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "But the mystery?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which beg that you will break it off." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next security.' them, and came down just as you departed. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I came to find a friend." were wasted." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the dangers which encompass me." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that with frightened eyes at his accuser. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit politicians who had been sent down from the North. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over matter over." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Is purely nominal.' was feeling which was the fattest.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical