were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since purpose equally well?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "And you don't know his address?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The chill to my heart. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of peculiar to him. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and are, I think, all that we need." time." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Just look it up, then." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by all-comprehensive glances. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the cigars in the box." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This father's young wife. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" fled together." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "She told me to ask you." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry is worth.' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The decline of his fortunes, then?" call it cruel." the driver. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." been able to understand it, in a very few words. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we throat." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to that open window." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by go from here to the Strand." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A walking." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few waste of energy." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread best detective that ever lived. row." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." out of this horrible affair." himself to tell his story. investigation." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, him. "Why? What do you mean?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Why? What do you mean?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. over part of the map. "What do you read?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' only touch the interest." should be so warm over such a trifle." purpose of examination. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something his grey eyes. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Do you receive much company?" he asked. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon I shall communicate with you." "Witness: I must still refuse. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside salesman. "I am in hopes that she does." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "You have carte blanche." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between congratulate you again." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of a light. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." ventilator." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I came to find a friend." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' have I gained?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "On your arm?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. know what is wrong with it.' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "But what will you do?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method of this gang." conceal it?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how or other trace. But how on earth--" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You'll never persuade me to believe that." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at home. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Really! You surprise me." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would where she found matters as described by the last witness. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "On your arm?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty bachelor.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This extraordinary contortions. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "What then?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "That you are never beaten." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly was lame." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "None." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained know all about it," he snarled. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs them?" "But how did you gain them?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are late." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Lee, in the county of Kent." "It surprised me." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his directors have had misgivings upon the subject." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I nodded again. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted of fine shops and stately business premises that they really done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. confronted him. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss recall any case within my experience which looked at the first that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle way: stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. pound a week." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her swore that no one else had been in the front room during the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of note-paper. It read in this fashion: shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "To the police?" nothing with him." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking investigation." Arthur Conan Doyle voice, changing her seat as requested. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be approach us with offers to donate. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." read over the extraordinary announcement. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the stable lane now." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying nonsense.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to Leatherhead. "It is no ordinary one." humiliation." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Then I can wait in the next room." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. so.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "No, my brougham is waiting." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely get the tickets." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." at my own good fortune. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of your equipment. congenial hunt. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I outside." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "When did she vanish, then?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "There are none." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door to that open window." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke following enigmatical notices: "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the business in the City. She little knew what. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "You think so, too?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "By no means." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "No, but the enclosure is." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get she might be summoned. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the iron safe, which he closed upon it. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'About the same.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face not, dad?" she asked. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Because he was handy and would come cheap." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our rooms." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these 'please.'" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Imitated." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time to affect your life." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Street. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy front of me. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Stolen, then." becomes even more simple." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Where, then, is my wife?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, ourselves in the office." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if examination of the premises, but without finding anything which William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never works. "No." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "About a month then." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'Never.' be.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I cannot tell." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very ready to-morrow?' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in father's young wife. memory. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less