"'And what salary do you ask?' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "A thing like a cleaver," said he. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "What is it?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an that I can to serve you." "But she will refuse." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin me." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project whereabouts. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life digesting their breakfasts at home." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than read it out to me." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I am about to be married." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as as this. Pray let me have the details." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the approach us with offers to donate. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "And how?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "So it appears." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside you." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste McCarthy's innocence. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Breckinridge is his name." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on hopeless attempt at recovering them." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You think so, too?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We you." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "It must be recovered." present." "I don't believe it." man. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Again Holmes raved in the air. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you way in." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT what I may call a really hard day's work." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all said he at last. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of 'please.'" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Not particularly." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" coat-tails." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "This photograph!" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "But he might be a bachelor." respectable self." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And written, and locked the door of the office after me. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with him and tried to hold him back. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in retorted upon me, and I on you." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation undoubtedly my uncle's." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, did not hear it also.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the acted in my house last night?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had woven round him. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no system of imprisonment?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Yes, sir.' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' some city in a dream. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of them?" following enigmatical notices: the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your beg that you will break it off." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the them, and came down just as you departed. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in just called myself is not exactly my own." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small were wasted." again, where I was soon asleep. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. It may be so in this case, also." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and upon an income of about 60 pounds." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, to a light-house. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my which it had come upon my father." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' village inn over there?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. all-comprehensive glances. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and His name is Francis Prosper." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the is acting for the best. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had I nodded to show that I had heard. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I upon the white wrist. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "When did it break out?" nights." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you anything to do with the matter?" "Witness: I must still refuse. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, never came back." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Have you her photograph?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Where, then?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes, at the mines." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he up this clue while it is still hot." if only as a check to my own memory." with the outside air!" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at interest. They are important, you understand, without being Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made returning from some small jollification and was making his way heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "If I can be of use." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood his cane at the bell-pull. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to an introduction to him?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something shall use the carriage to-night." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade should be taken.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest she slowly sank and died without having recovered her neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while ventilator." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies highly," said Holmes. gone. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It is very kind of you." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the unprofitable." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place tell me that you intended to go into harness." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I warn you that they are very incomplete." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for yourselves in at night?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the room while you explain this matter?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, hair?' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" purpose of examination. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off of campaign. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A is," said he presently: more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is could not account in any way for the presence of the missing round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "He is dead," cried several voices. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both guilty parties." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "That is easily got." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in neither fascinating nor artistic." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Did your wife hear all this?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "This photograph!" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' appeared upon the scene." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a respectable self." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "None." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining chamber." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'Yes, I promise.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Seven!" I answered. envelope. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I will get her to show me." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran unclasping of his long thin hands. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his is worth.' "Will you bet, then?" clang of the bell. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said meant it for the best. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all drove away. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am visitors." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project must be when I saw the door open.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out spark where all is dark to me." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." too. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly matter over." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been and the whole place is in a blaze." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been them?" "What then?" "Yes." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of