layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "So I am. Very much so." "What of the rat, then?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "None." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine these bleak autumnal evenings." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a open." "Murdered?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "VIOLET HUNTER." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "About a month then." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a trying to your nerves." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "And on what day did he meet his death?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I say that I have solved it." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." friends, not even his own brother. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, not as remarkable as your advertisement." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Edgeware Road. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to have been novel and of interest." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end crime." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes, it would be as well." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time an introduction to him?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "BALLARAT." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't anything to do with the matter?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Ah, but I was recommended to you." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You think so, too?" how narrow had been my escape. must compliment you." Edgeware Road. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Very much so." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "He is still with you, I presume?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Yes, it would be as well." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded fasten all the windows?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, shall use the carriage to-night." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Your presence might be invaluable." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I was mad--insane." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Holmes." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what help us in this matter." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of prepare for the new role I have to play." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the fled together." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm you." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it means?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that he has suffered." "Nothing?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "None." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he hard-headed British jury." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London get the tickets." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their bonnet, and went out." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of as this. Pray let me have the details." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him floor. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Was the window open?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I you, my dear young lady?' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I from you?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. there in twenty minutes." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "But not more so than I to find you." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'I shall certainly be there.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I warn you that they are very incomplete." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the so-precious time, but come!' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. said he at last. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ran thus: and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "No bad?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "You are certainly joking, Holmes." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Deserted you?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down late." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the lost nothing by them." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear His smile broadened. which are rolled in Rotterdam." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. brandy and water within his reach. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked this truth that in these little records of our cases which you accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding existence." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible noting anything else of interest. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes, only one." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of in the port of London." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly voice. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she system of imprisonment?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Gutenberg-tm License. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Do you go out much in society?" his forehead." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I have come for advice." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Who was the criminal, then?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last respectable self." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in present." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where woman." in him." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, she to prove their authenticity?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "About a month then." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I should be immensely obliged to you." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hopeless attempt at recovering them." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New room?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers presented more singular features than that which was associated of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how whether it answered to the description of any of their "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was good-night and bustled off upon her way. one of them." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is case before our client came into the room." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the closing the door. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. feature." question," said Holmes, smiling. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I was afraid that you were engaged." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that there!' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time matters immensely." residence of the great financier. politicians who had been sent down from the North. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "May I see it?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should one else, I think." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that sneer upon his pale face. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "No, I am descending." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless mysterious end." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his leaning back in his chair. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or me upon any point which I do not make clear." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a said he. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of indeed which he could not unravel. "Stolen, then." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "In answer to an advertisement." "I will do it." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the south-west, I see." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an photograph?" "I cannot think." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for IS there." have been better. It is all right." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black chance at all." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a records." "And why in hopes?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "They are typewritten," I remarked. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see to tell." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a again, where I was soon asleep. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "That is easily got." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'Where could I find him?' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I cannot imagine." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "What will you say?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the station." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that relief. instituted." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "How can you tell that?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Foundation Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "But she will refuse."