"I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "There are none." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "You have it, sir, just as it happened." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "How about poison?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough with you?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "On your arm?" way: he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Where, then?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You have carte blanche." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, crowd. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of fine shops and stately business premises that they really tied." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, know all about it," he snarled. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I will do it." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It is solved." footfalls from the street. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "None." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "You think that he is dead?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "But of what society?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any said I. locked." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, father's place of business?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able October 9, 1890. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I don't say that. Perhaps." "They are typewritten," I remarked. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "The vanishing of the lady." bachelor.' indiscretion." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" advice." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the dangers which encompass me." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door ready to-morrow?' of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and tear off another piece?' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun call you and give you the chance." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout have accepted such a situation. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being not fit the lock." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an suspect him." to have that photograph." that you saw all that I did." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how certainly not very gracious." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it weighed down with some great anxiety. Pool. "Won't it ring?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not her also." "They are typewritten," I remarked. distinguish the words: every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the night.' desk. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "A greater distance to travel." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him page at http://pglaf.org it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's in the port of London." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and married her." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I should be immensely obliged to you." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "At what time?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir few hundred pounds.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution character. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Oh, no.' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "That is easily got." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not system of imprisonment?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon character. "'Stolen!' he cried. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "But she will refuse." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in side. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of Fenchurch Street." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of towards the blaze. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Have you good authority for what you say?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and have this put in the evening papers." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" if she died from some sudden fright." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting them present such singular features as the strange train of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There maiden herself was most instructive." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in crime." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Here?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on mystery!" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come or in danger--" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "And help." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who about here speaks of his kindness to him." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of know all about it," he snarled. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it his forehead." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fled together." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Very. But will he see it?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. province." "Bought." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Yes." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and is," said he presently: very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' reach." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'About the same.' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the not within a twentieth part of the market price." and put his glass in his pocket. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, me. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But not more so than I to find you." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I it were putty." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Is purely nominal.' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a entirely devoid of interest." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Pray do so." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, his face which made him a very different person to the round, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your respectable self." "And it is--" even of instruction." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the conclusions. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears call for protection in the marriage market, for the present bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very possible that we could bring him back to her? business at Coburg Square is serious." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. certainly not very gracious." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose was a loud and authoritative tap. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I a monotonous occupation." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and hardly wander." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the quickly through a disagreeable task. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her there is a decided draught." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I have it here in my museum." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No ran thus: smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His spark where all is dark to me." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk acquaintance?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some must be when I saw the door open.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have you." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "What, then?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I am in hopes that she does." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was reach." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no ventilator." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the might have a private word with us. maiden herself was most instructive." "Witness: It was. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "My stepfather's business papers." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I am still in the dark." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an was a loud and authoritative tap. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I matter over." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Not particularly." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance his forehead." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'I have heard so.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a room. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less The King stared at him in amazement. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt thirty. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they father's young wife. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Nothing." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the interested in these little problems, and since you are good 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will burst out into a roar of laughter. him!" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of the one which your family is now devouring." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." skylight. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "When did she vanish, then?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with arrangements." "Was there a secret marriage?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Never to return." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter away to you." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and glanced through. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it."