I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I am all attention, madam." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My begun to whiten, even as mine has." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had security.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the bed, and you in that chair." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready washing it down with a long draught of water. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you acted in my house last night?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Yes, that is the Crown." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP four million human beings all jostling each other within the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent 11:15.' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "What then?" know that the truth is known." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'What do you call purely nominal?' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Ample." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I returning from some small jollification and was making his way knowledge of the world." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly someone who had been in Australia." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the take the flies, but not before." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Holmes. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. advice." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil all-comprehensive glances. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my went to the Alpha were town bred." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of have one." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest tied." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Entirely." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine voice, changing her seat as requested. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil not within a twentieth part of the market price." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." hurried away. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "One?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the plantation.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." his grey eyes. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. outbreak?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into affair. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is mysterious end." "'I have already given you my word.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'You doubt its value?' he asked. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress carriage. It was a chestnut." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "We have tried and failed." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "But your client--" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no knowledge of the world." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that peculiar to him. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "But you can know nothing of this?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. at once, for I have only half an hour." spare." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very affair. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to talk it over. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in electronic works when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended stalked out of the room. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly some water from a caraffe. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in absorbing." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine experiences." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow them?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." attention." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Heh?' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "What have you done?" asked Holmes. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be good-night and bustled off upon her way. at my own good fortune. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid laugh and put his lips to my ear. his cane at the bell-pull. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land south, for the country is more deserted there." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "This concluded the examination of the witness." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated tightly behind him. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round pressing in one house as in another. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: foot. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable we went to search for him, face downward in a little "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "By all means." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I will not look." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "By all means." "The vanishing of the lady." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Ample." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting begin with, and I had not got mine yet." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Eyford at 11:15.' "We must have a cab." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, rose-bushes. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "That is possible." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of stepfather?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "She told me to ask you." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not think that he is innocent?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless flock.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. his eyes and forehead. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Have you her photograph?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the train.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work less than 26s. 4d. "The vanishing of the lady." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. all-comprehensive glances. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without out." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be was a loud and authoritative tap. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Whose house is it?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the business at Coburg Square is serious." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Street. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst affection." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly at a side door. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "And your mother is alive?" to-night?" I asked. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked this poor creature." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. returned to France?" said I. Street. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias interested in these little problems, and since you are good fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I have hopes." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had nonsense.' "And now?" He raised his hand. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the entirely lost his self-respect." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I was certainly surprised to find you there." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of before the coroner and the police-court." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been you." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that ways including including checks, online payments and credit card see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "He disappeared so suddenly." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? strong and stiff." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must address. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided never to learn it at all." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "But you would not advise me to refuse?" rose-bushes. "I am armed." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, visitors." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you never to learn it at all." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what if she died from some sudden fright." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Yes, the wine-cellar." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you me. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had you do it in twenty minutes!' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "And you thought he was pulled back?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Then how many are there?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City these bleak autumnal evenings." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not it." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." south, for the country is more deserted there." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of floor. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men taking in every detail of the apartment. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place question. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of your young ladies.' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the an introduction to him?" "Yes, certainly." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William