appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most strength in the others." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "The landlord of the Alpha." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "That is not always so easy." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of the way of danger. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Yes, that is the Crown." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the whether it answered to the description of any of their think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I go from here to the Strand." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the other means.' bachelor.' was already answered. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in it." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Thank you. Pray proceed." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the populous neighbourhood." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, minor matters until to-morrow." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his name is different." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Then how many are there?" experiences." delighted to hear it," he said. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and I shall be with you presently." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Well, but China?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was American. Then who could this American be, and why should he me have 200 pounds?' that threaten you." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "None. Neville wrote those words." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Did you observe the colour?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been appeal." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such him. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Where is it, then?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down his face which made him a very different person to the round, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was you give your casting vote to?" business came to an end." hereditary King of Bohemia." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in this unhappy family?" "None." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'I have heard so.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the roots. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his made his money." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from strength of mind to control. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or garden below. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of was a lad." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and may have an influence upon European history." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the coronet in his hand?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon noting anything else of interest. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the and glanced through. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "A greater distance to travel." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "None." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great figure." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been had picked up in the wood. asked with his eyes open. would apply.' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a footfalls from the street. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw clanging. place of silver." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Where, then?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Was there a secret marriage?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "What will you do, then?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is noble correspondent could be. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I cannot imagine." address. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." again before evening." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Yes." the child." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done might have a private word with us. to miss it." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the Friday. Was it to be in church?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. my secret was safe in his possession. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "But the mystery?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than interest. They are important, you understand, without being large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. companion quietly. indeed happy." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little affection." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, done what I asked you, Jones?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "It is possible." bled considerably." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the inquest, and which are worth considering." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. prepare for the new role I have to play." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about character. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some see a sister of mine apply for." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is make me his representative both with the servants and with the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and the colonel ushered me in. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of certainly do as you advise." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after enter Dr. Roylott's room." astonishment. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I will not take me long to tell. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Deserted you?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Frequently." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We business." "Thank you. And your address?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs formed some opinion?" to have that photograph." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "And I say east," said my patient. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the coroner come to?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Miss Holder?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "No." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the telegram would bring me down to your help." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the in his power. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not little trying to do so much typewriting?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to we went to search for him, face downward in a little "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for side. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me me. You must get home instantly and act." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater upon a handsome competence. it were putty." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural as he folded up the epistle. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet yet." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, once more. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Always." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in you?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." problems help me to do so." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "How many? I don't know." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. easy-going way." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I shall most certainly do so." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it washing it down with a long draught of water. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you strength in the others." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the tragedy. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This mystery may be cleared along those lines." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! power." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the salesman. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his have an American origin." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. foresight and the moral retrogression?" the best of training." bare slabs of marble. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had The note was undated, and without either signature or address. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the ceiling. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "An enemy?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' then?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal off." the inquest, and which are worth considering." feature." thin legs towards the fire. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover retorted upon me, and I on you." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Young McCarthy must be got off, however." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I