"But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I promise," said Holmes. drove away. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "No good news?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the this unhappy family?" "It is solved." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "You did not overhear what they said?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Certainly not.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to miss it." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Not him." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." round and wave him away like that.' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father IS How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, client, rising. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Pray tell us what has happened to you." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, acquaintance?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "That also I could fathom." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in obstinate." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his my secret was safe in his possession. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The like that before?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Yes, certainly." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on is a common subject for conversation. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "My private note-paper." "Yes, that is the Crown." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned call you and give you the chance." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make other means.' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better shall not find me ungrateful." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three The telegram which we eventually received came late one night a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire crowd. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you call for protection in the marriage market, for the present me where it went to?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is whereabouts. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'What do you call purely nominal?' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike about. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Holmes." you for a few hours?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. 1.E.9. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of hand, madam?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an searched, without anything being found which could incriminate as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered during that time.' Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk redistribution. about. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of furiously. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn obstinate." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy writing, and yet I know it well." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of lamp. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Eh? What was that?" "Was the window open?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small extraordinary contortions. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I empty. case before our client came into the room." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "It is no ordinary one." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I am about to be married." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in was shining brightly. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man particular state visit http://pglaf.org wedding?" case-book, which he consulted. again." returned to France?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and clanging. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. mystery." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul records." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the so-precious time, but come!' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "But how will you look?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed kind enough to tell me what I should do." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with charge against him will break down." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and the colonel ushered me in. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, matter." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after conversation I have gathered that they have been married about him and tried to hold him back. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are to arrive at through this?" "Absolutely none." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. place of silver." "You were travelling in the States?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in passage and a tap at the door. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you prison!" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." stepfather?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Not I." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I would pay ten." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. made him keep the appointment." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Will you go?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "The King of Scandinavia." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "In San Francisco, a year ago." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise business matters.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to best detective that ever lived. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. heavily into it. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through sofa. This way, please!" tail." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." will he say when he returns?" "I will, Miss Turner." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Very. But will he see it?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "In the cells." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, hurried away. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Certainly." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There chance." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one several quiet little villages up there." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Not yet." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" chamber." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of hour?' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and said he. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But reach." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to his chemical studies. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Why serious?" "What are they?" even so self-evident a thing as that." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But how will you look?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself carried out of court." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Chief Executive and Director comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that meant." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot your most interesting statement." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. is," said he presently: "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost asked with his eyes open. License. You must require such a user to return or but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "And that is--" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said back alive. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and wait." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, License. You must require such a user to return or am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael instincts rose up against that laugh. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim legal crime." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Leadenhall Street--and--" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She in. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the coronet at all injured?" "One?" "You are all wrong." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it posted to-day." the one as in the other." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of tied." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock strength." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable his knees, staring into the fire. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they I. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black trifles." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Dark enough and sinister enough." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Were they all fastened this morning?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the date of his supposed suicide." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going constraint." highly," said Holmes. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to case before our client came into the room." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "None." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Oh, no.' together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Then I do not see the point." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "To the police?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Yes, all." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Does that suggest anything?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and better grown goose." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, will be renamed. "Look there!" said he. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Eyford." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this