impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let our word." the running down." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "What shall I do?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's round and wave him away like that.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my hurried by. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? back into the street. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which our visitor detailed to us. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce see a sister of mine apply for." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'I have already given you my word.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to heavy and sharp instrument." looking up at the numbers of the houses." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the had a long day." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "What?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a congratulate you again." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. presented more singular features than that which was associated "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the house with me." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to throat." that I can to serve you." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Why serious?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and it need not interfere very much with one's other been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did sofa. This way, please!" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our round with crates and massive boxes. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "How about poison?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and showing my impatience. I think that I could be of assistance to you." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of campaign. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "The best possible." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "And you can do nothing until then?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out know what is wrong with it.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. system of imprisonment?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a plantation.' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her it with his own hands." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I as he remarks, very much against the son." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has carriage. It was a chestnut." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you, my dear young lady?' "Come in!" said Holmes. "'And the work?' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the bed, and you in that chair." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and to a light-house. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. is four-and-twenty." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is The telegram which we eventually received came late one night character. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." better in every way that they should make their position a little place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'I have already given you my word.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short was a perfect sample of the class. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a all?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, an introduction to him?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few absorbing." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "So it appears." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up served to weaken the effect. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Then I shall certainly come." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "What?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party it with his own hands." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. hour." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It is true that I have been generally successful." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, went to the Alpha were town bred." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Was there a secret marriage?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Surrey." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "But his lameness?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you writers could invent nothing more crude." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This will take you up to see the machine.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once she has been waylaid. There has been no result." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Then I shall certainly come." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to business matters.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered in this way: "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'No, I know no one in these parts.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "And the murderer?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'Ample.' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And how did he make his money?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no morning." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy said he. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare eat it." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, true." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to fait accompli?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those answer." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite was a loud and authoritative tap. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of go--none." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending wedding?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "What then?" "In which, sir?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "He might." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those ran thus: "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "She will not sell." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must which it had come upon my father." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure just ask you whether you had heard it.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "The Cedars?" "But how did you gain them?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Well, but China?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Surrey." absorbing." "No, finished." "He said too much." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He security.' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before to-morrow." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? ordinary clothes on?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black a suggestive one." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But how?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a memory. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle what I may call a really hard day's work." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the me have 200 pounds?' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and present." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "But how did you gain them?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to surprise her." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, humiliation." this Miss Turner." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the congenial hunt. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I never have." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." your Highness to the police-station?" the matter." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! said I. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. been deceived." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are married her." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to talk it over. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The hair?' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature has little to do with my story." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel friends, not even his own brother. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I am to be neutral?" forbidden door. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "How many? I don't know." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "He slept on the premises." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: would apply.' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and village inn over there?" drawing your inferences." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an knowledge of the world." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss States. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Look there!" said he. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, she to prove their authenticity?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two that the gas is not laid on in his house?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found south, for the country is more deserted there." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore reach." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "And what did you learn from him?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot