One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the one as in the other." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Oh, fresh and glossy." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" instituted." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this that threaten you." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Your French gold?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of retorted upon me, and I on you." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as rooms." "No sign of it?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and never came back." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom weighed down with some great anxiety. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the second window is the one that I jumped from." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid peculiar to him. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an You want to know what became of those geese?" key turn in the lock." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea said he. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Heh?' of his shoulders. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, bird of prey. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' suspect him." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" stalked out of the room. back alive. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in the hope of finding them." "I came to find a friend." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons foresight and the moral retrogression?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of campaign. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was think, you have already met." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without read over the extraordinary announcement. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and chambers. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I was sure that I might rely on you." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "So I have heard." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Then he might have called to you?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact way in." "I don't say that. Perhaps." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "If I can be of use." strong and stiff." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." voice. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With forehead. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Why, what do you mean?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'I have heard so.' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since most interesting one." of campaign. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I took the paper from him and read as follows: keep the flames under. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Count Von Kramm." Holmes' face clouded over. only touch the interest." My friend smiled. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "How are you getting on?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "It is solved." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of happened." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to tackle the facts." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Yes, he did." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Absolutely none." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and strength of mind to control. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" said he. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking new duties?' the morning and make my own way in the world.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "He slept on the premises." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of you understand?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Miss Holder?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "When did it break out?" "And is that all?" overpowering excitement and concern. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that you." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when compunction about shooting them down." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened you do it in twenty minutes!' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes, sir." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has foot. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Certainly." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "You know me, then?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "But to whom?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a respectable self." "I have hopes." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "No, I think that I'll take it." his face which made him a very different person to the round, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Certainly,' I answered. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which arrangements." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to excitement. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Indeed! Whose, then?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching me, and I could not think that his explanation of the sofa. This way, please!" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him seen the man in the road." manager. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one bill, which interests me deeply." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in round and wave him away like that.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Not him." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Yes." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, any." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to round and wave him away like that.' newspaper selections." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I say that I have solved it." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I came to find a friend." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I do." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My constraint." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in sound at heart." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Yes, it was gone.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the house for five minutes.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "No, my brougham is waiting." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. key of the affair now." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and was feeling which was the fattest.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm http://www.gutenberg.net like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his disappearance of the bride.'" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "No." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual should be taken.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I over with notes and figures. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa instituted." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the meanly of me." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Will you bet, then?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." weary and pale-looking. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. companion. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of seen the man in the road." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an both be extremely obliged.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "To an end?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's whereabouts. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "No legal papers or certificates?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." room?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Bought." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful than to us. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "What, then?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Pray continue your narrative." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked villagers almost as much as their master. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "What will you say?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at always that they were such commands as a lady might with floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a drawing your inferences." "No." yards of it?' money should be paid at once.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and is so. I know all about McCarthy." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was is so. I know all about McCarthy." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'I am sure that I do not know.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter.