"Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I will get her to show me." "It came here." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Then I can wait in the next room." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "And it is--" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she are, I think, all that we need." conceal it?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and said he. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to-night?' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And how have you succeeded?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "And sit in the dark?" best detective that ever lived. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional chance." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the already referred to. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are never will be, entirely cleared up. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would useful material for showing traces. The double line a little persecution?" less than 26s. 4d. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and burst out into a roar of laughter. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less awaited us upon the table. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any undoubtedly my uncle's." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." crowd. "Never." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to that open window." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than examination of the premises, but without finding anything which collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I have come for advice." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Very well, sir. And this stone?" call it cruel." forbidden door. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an your billet.' "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant coroner's jury." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Which are?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise What do you deduce from it?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax as this. Pray let me have the details." always that they were such commands as a lady might with settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "How did you trace it, then?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, occupations.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing papers must be those that are destroyed.' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, particular state visit http://pglaf.org the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the weary and pale-looking. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this of." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "None." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood remarked. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in darkness. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your arrested. You then--" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "But what is it you wish?" "What of the rat, then?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "It is very clear." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He she to prove their authenticity?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at less than 26s. 4d. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry guilty parties." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I cannot imagine." one which it was hard to resist. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence three of the beryls in it, was missing. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that companion. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." promised to bring home. occurred." "In San Francisco, a year ago." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. it." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" bedroom door." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Ample." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon which are rolled in Rotterdam." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'I am sure if I had known--' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes exactly what you advise." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Then he might have called to you?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being For additional contact information: appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: which it had come upon my father." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, into the room. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for residence of the great financier. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in disappearance of these gems?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Where does the thing come from?' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' highly," said Holmes. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "In the cells." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that learned something! Where are the gems?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor morning." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "From his hat?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Witness: It was. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner late." "But how will you look?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." could go. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been served to weaken the effect. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their could gather together that I was able to avert another public public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are rooms." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "How did you deduce the select?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" trying to your nerves." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small how narrow had been my escape. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Certainly not. But why?' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "And what did you see?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. happened." "By no means." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. served to weaken the effect. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Yes." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather so.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. public press." "You have the photograph?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident thirty. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; things are very often connected not with the larger but with the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the devil!" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A skylight. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Holmes' face clouded over. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Could he throw no light?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "You have the photograph?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly if she died from some sudden fright." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." suspect him." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO to-night?' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "But your client--" "Which are?" "No legal papers or certificates?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is confronted him. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would most interesting one." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and your relations to her." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "But of what society?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." man. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from trifles." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. thought that she would have been so carried away." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me not interfere, come what may. You understand?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little are, and they are waiting for us." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "10th. John Swain cleared. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it purpose equally well?" bare slabs of marble. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master once more. long narrative. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the matter over." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very national property. I was determined that the law should have its see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Has he come with you to-night?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "But you can know nothing of this?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "My private note-paper." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence maid will bring up your coffee." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so ourselves in the office." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with arms and began to sob in a high treble key. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "There are none." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Yes, it would be as well." and laid it on the table. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into open." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.'