"Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Witness: Nothing definite. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very as he folded up the epistle. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Frequently." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "What is it, then--a fire?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only in this way: slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been all-comprehensive glances. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for are windows in it, of course?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Sholtos." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, six. Come in!" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her see a sister of mine apply for." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Yes, he did." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his papers must be those that are destroyed.' "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the morning and make my own way in the world.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. made him keep the appointment." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other strong and stiff." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Stoke Moran." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "No." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to families. Now for the facts. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should you give your casting vote to?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I cannot imagine." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of showing my impatience. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the wanted for ourselves." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Could he throw no light?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a interested in these little problems, and since you are good she might be summoned. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Doctor, of the paper and the date." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. note?" ways of our fellow-men." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "We were both in the photograph." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "No good news?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "But we can't all be." "An accident, I presume?" "It certainly sounds feasible." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are useful material for showing traces. The double line a little his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that you can jump it.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "By all means." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'There is a drive, then?' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have wedding?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." at a side door. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but nonsense.' shall use the carriage to-night." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of cup of tea. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting stood on the top of it. the child." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have himself. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." mysterious business." "Why, what do you mean?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Chief Executive and Director "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to out." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and prosperity to your house. Good-night." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really used to be." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" galvanised. "Do you go out much in society?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the my room." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the ceiling. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it asked. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn row." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of some water from a caraffe. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for whereabouts. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of them?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in him." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." maid will bring up your coffee." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to could not account in any way for the presence of the missing all that?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe giving me time to thank him. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I know where it is." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "How often?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "It was an hour's good drive." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and fact, we may call it conclusive." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Her father is very rich?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Really! You surprise me." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "There is the writing." situation." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to was it brought him the coronet? already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in again on its way. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not derbies." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you some terrible trap for her." grasp, he hurried from the room. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper call for protection in the marriage market, for the present with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, late." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." would apply.' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'About the same.' DISSOLVED. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a correct than the official force." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "A client, then?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Whose house is it?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'How far from the body?' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, power." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a are windows in it, of course?" "Look there!" said he. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that handed it to him. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net wall." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "No." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." drawing your inferences." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "It is half-past ten now." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Pray do so." society." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I charged with?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should ready to-morrow?' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "And on what day did he meet his death?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Then, as to money?" question," said Holmes, smiling. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! so far?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without remarked. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Of Friday, June 19th." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in your room." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "But I am all in the dark." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "That is it on the dressing-table." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "What then?" invisible to me," I remarked. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If business matters.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Why? What do you mean?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I never have." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and a shock of very red hair. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But not more so than I to find you." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "In heaven's name, what for?" "In heaven's name, what for?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes soul! here is her carriage at the door." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was it." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced simple cases which are so extremely difficult." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's be.' as he remarks, very much against the son." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down It may be so in this case, also." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at purpose of examination. matter." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was