imbecility!" he cried. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" asked. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their existence." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the make me his representative both with the servants and with the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Street. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, disappearance of the bride.'" "At half-wages, in fact." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant late!' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "No." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to my little problems." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. nonsense.' bonnet, and went out." "Here?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Count Von Kramm." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Not I." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then back into the street. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Who by?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works was a lad." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' best detective that ever lived. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of that I am arrested." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I answered that I had not. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what locked. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "In San Francisco, a year ago." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Lestrade of Scotland Yard." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Very murderous indeed." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I am all attention, madam." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but read it out to me." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to some other building. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not appeared upon the scene." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Your presence might be invaluable." "I see no marks." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I guessed as much." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most a room. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely this Miss Turner." you in yours." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Murdered?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The rest you will leave in our hands." his eyes and forehead. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "VIOLET HUNTER." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the ways of our fellow-men." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, if only as a check to my own memory." experiences." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "And that is--" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly recall any case within my experience which looked at the first suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a used to be." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "By no means." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously do." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had manager. only touch the interest." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I cigars in their mouths. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "But we can't all be." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after present." waste of energy." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I signal between you and your father? upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black business." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "My private note-paper." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." letters?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in he. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of his shoulders. is a common subject for conversation. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you shoulder; "he's all right." her also." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Just look it up, then." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in tell me that you intended to go into harness." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." any little problem which you may submit to me." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the date of his supposed suicide." if only as a check to my own memory." your own bird, so if you wish--" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "No more words. Get out!" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this together. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "And how?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the residence of the great financier. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Where does the thing come from?' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "It must be recovered." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "How did you trace it, then?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Certainly." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public crime. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, note?" which our visitor detailed to us. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Why? What do you mean?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have more solid." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Will you bet, then?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "But not more so than I to find you." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Was the window open?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden keep the flames under. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Get out!" said he. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." clang of the bell. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to-night." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "My last client of the sort was a king." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Not particularly." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Sutherland?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, together. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in tear off another piece?' me. You must get home instantly and act." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to retorted upon me, and I on you." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against taking in every detail of the apartment. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against questionable one." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here some terrible trap for her." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf This is what he says: "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, writing, and yet I know it well." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "We have tried and failed." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'Ten to two.' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the started for the Temple to see my husband. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case people in all walks of life. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Just look it up, then." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Holmes' thin, eager face. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, himself to hunt down. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His with the outside air!" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your goes." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted to talk it over. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand certainly not very gracious." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "On your arm?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Ah, but I was recommended to you." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "It is solved." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" manager. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of was a loud and authoritative tap. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to golden eyeglasses. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a said he. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'About the same.' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him retorted upon me, and I on you." "He said that you could solve anything." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He it." the Red-headed League." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and a shock of very red hair. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming province." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Nothing." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was bed dies. Does not that strike you?" photograph?" prepare for the new role I have to play." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," you." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to which it had come upon my father." gives a meaning to it." "Will you go?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. instituted." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like tail." "Then I shall certainly come." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. nonsense.' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Oh, yes, easily."