We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I was mad--insane." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less burst into a hearty fit of laughter. village inn over there?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Not him." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Foundation rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the nursery. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said wife's character?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs clanging. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the room while you explain this matter?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian woman." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the letters?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been over part of the map. "What do you read?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Murdered?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave touch that coronet?' way: 'please.'" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Why that?' I asks. Edgeware Road. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "And when will you call?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Proceed, then." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get late." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer to-night's adventure." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fatally injured? "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the as noiselessly as she had come. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Nor running a chance of arrest?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Yes, he did." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I have solved it." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his or in danger--" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. read it out to me." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could questionable one." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "To the police?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY closely." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I never have." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, certainly do as you advise." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden notes," he said. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'In my own bureau.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "You have but to name it." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" must compliment you." "But she will refuse." prison!" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "A confidential servant?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' just ask you whether you had heard it.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever good for you to do.' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Do you go out much in society?" Holmes' thin, eager face. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The knees of his trousers." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to crime. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "An accident, I presume?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Very much so." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a one of them." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I came to find a friend." "They are typewritten," I remarked. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' key of the affair now." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I already been minutely examined." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "But how?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after This is what he says: "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't forbidden door. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: chambers. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'What do you call purely nominal?' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "My opinion is in no way altered." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British helping a boy to put up the shutters. side. "Well, but China?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'What would be the hours?' I asked. what is your own theory as to what took place?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or that you wished to speak to me?' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. have had none more fantastic than this." "'Never.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better morning." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the matter." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the coronet at all injured?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my delighted to hear it," he said. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but room?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." again on its way. "On your arm?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not arrested. You then--" "Yes, that is the Crown." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set carriage. It was a chestnut." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project advice." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Does that suggest anything?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "How are you getting on?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught reach." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the child." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a relief. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the redistribution. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any that "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my been with you?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "And what did you see?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will depend upon my doing so.' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this points to suicide?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Well, but China?" like that before?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even kind enough to tell me what I should do." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the some water from a caraffe. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is chair. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets enter Dr. Roylott's room." "That was it, sir." plantation.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous them present such singular features as the strange train of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "But how did you gain them?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott delirious. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad served to weaken the effect. "Yes." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "To an end?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for your only hope of safety." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith 1.F. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and direction." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that one of them." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such your own bird, so if you wish--" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. is four-and-twenty." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "It is possible." "In what way?" asked Holmes. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. your sleep?' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the strong and stiff." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Yes." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I am in hopes that she does." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "But I am all in the dark." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it or other trace. But how on earth--" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." present." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining of his shoulders. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Was your sister dressed?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a where she found matters as described by the last witness. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white threw himself down with his face to the pillow. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, enter Dr. Roylott's room." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I answered that I had not. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer a room. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Ah!" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I would pay ten." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are gbnewby@pglaf.org across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of it." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a horse could go." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have whereabouts. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and the colonel ushered me in. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb feature." whereabouts. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the interested in these little problems, and since you are good newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main