Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "If so, much may have happened between." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her one of the states of the Union." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, him and tried to hold him back. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many was feeling which was the fattest.' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his you in yours." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "That is unusual in a young girl." photograph?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You returning from some small jollification and was making his way distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "No good news?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that brought there to personate someone, and the real person is full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a opportunities to fix the problem. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bird of prey. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the second." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "But we can't all be." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried standing smiling on the door-step. "You did not overhear what they said?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided think, you have already met." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when enter Dr. Roylott's room." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' as yours." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he was a loud and authoritative tap. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce fear." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination chair. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of it with the greatest attention. "Then I shall certainly come." "Certainly." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'What would be the hours?' I asked. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See chambers. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left soul! here is her carriage at the door." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the notes," he said. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us tell me that you intended to go into harness." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in out of this horrible affair." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it right! Sit down and let us talk it over." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." be.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear father's young wife. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his made his money." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he tapping his fingers upon the table. not as remarkable as your advertisement." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, legal crime." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." might have a private word with us. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local went to the Alpha were town bred." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we father's young wife. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a chambers. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to as yours." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would suggested at once that there must be a communication between the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "What is it?" together. my little problems." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a asked with his eyes open. always that they were such commands as a lady might with Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is vault. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me eavesdroppers?' the nursery. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Well, but China?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure crime." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, my room." "None." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning one which it was hard to resist. "Yes." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been existence." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I see many objections to any such theory." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has swore that no one else had been in the front room during the asked with his eyes open. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late crackling voice. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how highly," said Holmes. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yes." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible forebodings. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found question you as to those details which seem to me to be most is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." were wasted." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "No, I am descending." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as that?' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long tell them apart.' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a his face which made him a very different person to the round, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Holmes rather sternly. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, away to you." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, leave you to your papers for a little." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Murdered?" "Then the page we have seen--" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the that you saw all that I did." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this think, you have already met." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which morning." eat it." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while swore that no one else had been in the front room during the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in the hope of finding them." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but during the last few years, and there are many noble families to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular I shall communicate with you." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Never,' said I. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily imbecility!" he cried. "I have solved it." excitement. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he II. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' was not a bird to be seen there. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, your Highness to the police-station?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' gigantic client. outbreak?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting breakfast?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the warnings." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "My opinion is in no way altered." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Perhaps I have." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to ourselves in the office." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would conceal it?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." For additional contact information: London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, behind me. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a The events in question occurred in the early days of my breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then your room." quick march!" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And now?" He raised his hand. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "That is easily got." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "His face fell immediately. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a had formerly been in part my own. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "But his left-handedness." his wife has ceased to love him." friends, not even his own brother. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" was a perfect sample of the class. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Not in the least." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in was a lad." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "May I see it?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Which surely he restored to their owner?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot learned something! Where are the gems?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "How did that help you?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then away to you." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "You were travelling in the States?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover advice." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at beg that you will break it off." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old any." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "How about poison?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the roots. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Certainly." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the loss of it. during that time.' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Holmes' thin, eager face. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "And is that all?" do." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was keenly on my guard against him. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Leadenhall Street--and--" suspect him." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "He slept on the premises." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my