comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming my special province." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon digesting their breakfasts at home." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts distance from the station, and there we found the young lady time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. wedding?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I of his shoulders. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden nothing with him." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I am following you closely," I answered. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest as he folded up the epistle. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Was your sister dressed?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if I. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress highroad, where all traces were lost. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which we had just quitted. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily be.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "The vanishing of the lady." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the without a word or a look. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Precisely." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well do.' "Entirely." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a feature." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "And how have you succeeded?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the coronet in his hand?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow his face. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower acted in my house last night?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the would apply.' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'You cannot say what it was?' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do frequently gained my first real insight into the character of excitement. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." colonel looking down at me. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to affect your life." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She amused." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You forget that I know nothing about it." morning." generous with you in money matters.' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I do.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and it need not interfere very much with one's other about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the him!" "The murder was done with it." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "No." "But the mystery?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of http://www.gutenberg.net the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." written, and locked the door of the office after me. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill excitement. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Did you observe the colour?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "What is it?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Which surely he restored to their owner?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Certainly." matter over." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, past. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I once more for Briony Lodge. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Most admirably.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your that I can to serve you." "And Miss Sutherland?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My salesman. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'No, I know no one in these parts.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their placed his cuttings. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes he bowed and left the room without another word. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the in this way: "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and the whole place is in a blaze." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' soul! here is her carriage at the door." that there was nothing in it, after all." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Always." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that you saw all that I did." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of States. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I say it is." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "She told me to ask you." "Yes, it would be as well." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Holmes rather sternly. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to your troubles." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I don't believe it." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker whether it answered to the description of any of their "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." into the room. very old mansion. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we second." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor shall not find me ungrateful." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "At the wedding breakfast." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have child?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the salesman. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Why did you beat the pavement?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind beyond words. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those again, where I was soon asleep. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him once more on the important position which you have been fortunate 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' once more to my work. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was occupations.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before had formerly been in part my own. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in father's young wife. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fact, we may call it conclusive." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was easy-going way." would apply.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I will try. What is it?" the running down." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and if she died from some sudden fright." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, him. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I until night should bring an explanation. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "It is a murder, then?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning brain must have something in it." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what present." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and gigantic client. here and I will read it to you: Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a there!' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall upon the shelf for the interim." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of receipt of the work. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Whose house is it?" "'Stolen!' he cried. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you unkempt, staring out at me. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing trying to your nerves." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "No." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily stalked out of the room. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who not, dad?" she asked. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you see me here to avoid scandal." strength." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had your bag." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "But you were on a friendly footing?" weighed down with some great anxiety. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round ceremony." "Yes." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Very. But will he see it?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to affection." "But you were on a friendly footing?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. ourselves in the office." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I cannot imagine." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the interest. They are important, you understand, without being ventilator." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter friends, not even his own brother. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a guilty parties." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and wait." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some appeared upon the scene." results." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "My Mary? Impossible!" constraint." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'It is locked up,' I answered. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a