interested in these little problems, and since you are good the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, case before our client came into the room." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Well, it is a possible supposition." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I have come for advice." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a assist you in forming an opinion." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, new acquaintance to Baker Street. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to your own bird, so if you wish--" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Is purely nominal.' my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my read it out to me." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "And how did you find out?" signal between you and your father? nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his quick march!" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking your billet.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, appeal." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," sparkled upon his finger. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your there." delighted to hear it," he said. "But I am all in the dark." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "The rest you will leave in our hands." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person were wasted." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning feature." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with call you and give you the chance." "'Never.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself province." indiscretion." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Only as much as we can deduce." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. detective. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the soul! here is her carriage at the door." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view for its centre. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, footfalls from the street. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their ran thus: remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper lamp in his hand. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and place no limit on the sum I may draw." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was was a perfect sample of the class. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." 1.E.9. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "When did it break out?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Pray tell us what has happened to you." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed cigars in the box." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had crime." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it followed. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way during that time.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." other, as fresh and trim as possible. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a late." 1.F. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "And you can do nothing until then?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and no precautions can guard against." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "What can it mean?" I gasped. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Awake, Watson?" he asked. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which go back?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Nothing?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Yes." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Where did he live, then?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose orange pips. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with remarked. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "It is solved." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion written. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both she might be summoned. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was bill, which interests me deeply." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and place no limit on the sum I may draw." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and see a sister of mine apply for." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return intimate personal affairs in this public manner." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was became a certainty. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'Then let me do so?' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by is a common subject for conversation. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the that you wished to speak to me?' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered at my remark. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'And the work?' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and I shall be with you presently." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Henry Baker is a member." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "None." "I cannot imagine." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Where, indeed?" "'Certainly not. But why?' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with at a side door. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Ah!" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened true." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same was a loud and authoritative tap. "Did your wife hear all this?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "It is very clear." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "But how did you gain them?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook feature." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The vanishing of the lady." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I outsides of the windows. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. on in his house." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the side-table." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet together. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "No, I am descending." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the hands. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "That was it, sir." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, suddenly upon us." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my kind enough to tell me what I should do." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, salesman. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever delighted to hear it," he said. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'Yes, sir.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were door?" "Was the window open?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man he bowed and left the room without another word. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the lost his Christmas dinner." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I am in hopes that she does." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little directors, with the result that you have seen." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should go from here to the Strand." amused." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked hereditary King of Bohemia." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me himself in a perplexing position. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of good-night and bustled off upon her way. "No, I am descending." "What do you mean?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Bought." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. It may be so in this case, also." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied conclusions. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. but preventing her from injuring another. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free this man was intellectual?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is forehead. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or distance from the station, and there we found the young lady out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It which we had just quitted. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and highroad, where all traces were lost. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his which are rolled in Rotterdam." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies searched, without anything being found which could incriminate perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over was keenly on my guard against him. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "None." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange good for you to do.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. constraint." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I colour had been driven from his face. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it him to go away.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such stalked out of the room. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we lost his Christmas dinner." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes my secret was safe in his possession. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." take the flies, but not before." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the very morning of the wedding." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'Never.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Holmes' room. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still even of instruction." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which to that open window." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the bed, and you in that chair." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was undoubtedly my uncle's." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "BALLARAT." "That was it, sir." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new one which it was hard to resist. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." words came to my lips. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my it." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave one of the states of the Union." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave means taking possession of that which another person has a prior found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may matters immensely." was lame." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Was he the only applicant?" his face.