than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'About the same.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." which it had come upon my father." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the read over the extraordinary announcement. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sparkled upon his finger. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your know that the truth is known." I held the little printed slip to the light. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see you understand?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the outside. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a purpose equally well?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning it. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that evidence," I remarked. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was most interesting one." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old hardly wander." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "But the mystery?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate forebodings. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "It is solved." society." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend a few minutes he said that it would be all right. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns joking. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Why? What do you mean?" shoulder; "he's all right." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to unkempt, staring out at me. "I am following you closely," I answered. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Cross for the Continent." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "No, I am descending." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and believe that I should never have any practice at all. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the shaken than I had ever seen him. here." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "My Mary? Impossible!" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable think you a quite exceptional woman." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "At what time?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people room had already been engaged for us. "And sit in the dark?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Thank you. And your address?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. friends, not even his own brother. footfalls from the street. "It certainly sounds feasible." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." as he remarks, very much against the son." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of read over the extraordinary announcement. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the stones. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Was your sister dressed?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you During two years I have had three consultations and one small "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Yes, sir." goes." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a before the coroner and the police-court." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the general public were present, then?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private stalked out of the room. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Texas, I think." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. before the coroner and the police-court." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" or other trace. But how on earth--" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "A client, then?" depend upon your compliance." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance in a friendly supper." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a heavy and sharp instrument." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I looking up at the numbers of the houses." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the outside. "'Yes, sir.' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has strong and stiff." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as about. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An shoulder. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about official police." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "But we can't all be." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hour." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, so far?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that I am not easy in my mind about them." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "You have a clue?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, fled together." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, figure." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an your troubles." sound at heart." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Certainly, madam." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "And Miss Sutherland?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "But how could you guess what the motive was?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as opened a pocket-book and took out a note. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "The Coroner: What do you mean? page at http://pglaf.org step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "None. Neville wrote those words." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There a room. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery front of me. might help us?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my asked. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your o'clock is it?" been deceived." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a a very grave face. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of plantation.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that was a loud and authoritative tap. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Chief Executive and Director sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was have got?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, instituted." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes, from Horsham." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be are windows in it, of course?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Did your wife hear all this?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put him nearly every evening." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There own family. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my affection." you want, then?' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, extraordinary contortions. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "On your arm?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. less than 26s. 4d. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through floor. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "No, I had a dozen." thought that she would have been so carried away." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "And it is--" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "But you have hopes?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have persecution?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very who was a member of your goose club." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in do.' to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "And how did you find out?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a papers." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had have an American origin." will take you up to see the machine.' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It is a murder, then?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the discontent upon his features. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous you." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. cup of tea. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. that you can jump it.' "He is dead," cried several voices. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "In heaven's name, what for?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar public press." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. presented more singular features than that which was associated there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I say it is." "It is his hat." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that generous with you in money matters.'