I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "The vanishing of the lady." was a loud and authoritative tap. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom do.' some terrible trap for her." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "One horse?" interjected Holmes. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the thirty. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Well, some hundreds of times." are, I think, all that we need." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" instituted." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he grasp, he hurried from the room. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Did your wife hear all this?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that less than 26s. 4d. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face our word." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become information in his hands the value of which he did not himself this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all an introduction to him?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, such person." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to me. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Eh? What was that?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "It is no ordinary one." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." be there in time for your coming." "In which, sir?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Yes.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "And from a noble client?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece disturbance in my wife." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Where, then?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to people don't know." "What I expected to see." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a you?' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "And what then?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the tragedy. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, awkward doing business with an alias." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Where is it, then?" following enigmatical notices: constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "To an English lawyer named Norton." conclusions. "Very truly yours, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple coroner's jury." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice chamber." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his writer." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were his face. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner gentleman's clothes. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it right! Sit down and let us talk it over." call it cruel." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed touch that coronet?' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the fear." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the better grown goose." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first allusion to a rat. "'As governess?' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Certainly." "Yes, the wine-cellar." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "But not more so than I to find you." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had she used." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'Yes, sir.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "And you can do nothing until then?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she happened." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to sake, don't!" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger was a loud and authoritative tap. reach." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "And sit in the dark?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. chamber." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, been with you?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Very good.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, gone. house for five minutes.' we went to search for him, face downward in a little I nodded again. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic conceal it?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Eh? What was that?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired examine." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "What is it?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the read over the extraordinary announcement. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." enter into my head. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "In answer to an advertisement." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her taking in every detail of the apartment. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I you came in." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "And when will you call?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Holmes." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "A greater distance to travel." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "We have tried and failed." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after perplexity from it to my illustrious client. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Have you it here?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on away to you." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of less than 26s. 4d. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who for and were ordered to this address. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we have accepted such a situation. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out whole matter to your consideration." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. from the brougham. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and figure." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking said I. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the of." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it least a fellow-countryman. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have made his money." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Holmes' face clouded over. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or is worth.' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And who is her maid?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if before, for it was considerably after midnight. Street. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at upon the white wrist. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue never to learn it at all." is," said he presently: dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "9th. McCauley cleared. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my sneer upon his pale face. "And why?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason during which he might have communicated with his friend the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Oh, no.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you came in." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I cannot imagine." standing smiling on the door-step. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond respectable self." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill awaited us upon the table. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in face and glided from the room. "The best possible." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "How can you tell that?" might help us?" instincts rose up against that laugh. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the devil!" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Then you may be so with me." one else, I think." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I guessed as much." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "And I to find an enemy." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "And I to find an enemy." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. do." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I cannot as yet see any connection." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in all-comprehensive glances. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this ordinary clothes on?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I think that I could be of assistance to you." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent you." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the in darkness. of the way of danger. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes, sir." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the appeal." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every spare." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since 1.E.9. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'Ample.' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated You can understand that this register and diary may implicate or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with to surprise her." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "How are you getting on?" a very grave face. humiliation." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram stood on the top of it. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Well." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, your co-operation." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I she to prove their authenticity?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Here?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "It is a murder, then?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you over here." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Yes, all." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the Red-headed League." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment important." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter dates and names. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if at a side door. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I will try. What is it?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned