"No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door them, and came down just as you departed. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and all of them with the keenest interest. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Certainly, madam." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of mystery." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her will he say when he returns?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'Yes, it was gone.' Have you good authority for what you say?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the to take care of herself." Holmes' thin, eager face. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "VIOLET HUNTER." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after hurried away. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "What then?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, bell. Holmes whistled. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its thought that she would have been so carried away." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly husband's writing, madam." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "What can you not understand?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black if she died from some sudden fright." husband's writing, madam." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Entirely." until night should bring an explanation. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely asked. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" both be extremely obliged.' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in in a friendly supper." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And Miss Sutherland?" wedding?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. wanted for ourselves." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fasten all the windows?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Henry Baker is a member." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing directors, with the result that you have seen." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they newspaper selections." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do room. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the way in everything. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a questioning and rather startled gaze. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that strength." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, a very grave face. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no you for a few hours?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen next day. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "It is possible." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, London for the present?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would breakfast?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But what harm can there be in that?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Quite sure, dad.' "I am in hopes that she does." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. shoulder; "he's all right." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It may not come to that," said Holmes. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet case before our client came into the room." important." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled indeed happy." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had province." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by seem to you to be relevant or not." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood instituted." legal crime." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "That you are never beaten." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Murdered?" "Not yet." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that astonishment. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you understand?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "On Monday." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich look dissatisfied." fasten all the windows?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "And you thought he was pulled back?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Stoke Moran?" said he. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic problems help me to do so." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me young Openshaw's." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. look upon these things in a different way." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a so far?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and no precautions can guard against." not, dad?" she asked. open." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a present." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Then I am your man." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And it is--" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about congratulate you again." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" eat it." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a him." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you of Fenchurch Street." "An enemy?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Witness: I must still refuse. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Well, some hundreds of times." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his forebodings. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' said he. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and have got?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the know what is wrong with it.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an unprofitable." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the ceiling. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he went to the Alpha were town bred." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive next day. promised to bring home. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the little opening for the ventilator is." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my prepare for the new role I have to play." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "And how did you find out?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Witness: I must still refuse. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and all of them with the keenest interest. taking in every detail of the apartment. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for away into the river." could gather together that I was able to avert another public lamp. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the best of training." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of a room. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. extraordinary contortions. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa notes," he said. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "And leave your case unfinished?" your equipment. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I cannot tell." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Well, but China?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I am all attention, madam." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was there when the Rucastles went away." better in every way that they should make their position a little "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from coroner's jury." "'Yes, I promise.' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "How did that help you?" for its centre. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "But you have hopes?" again before evening." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have your Highness to the police-station?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the inner apartment." weary and pale-looking. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I will not look." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the nursery. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I am not easy in my mind about them." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Nothing." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Pope's Court. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our at once, for I have only half an hour." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining fled together." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Get out!" said he. "I think that it is very probable." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my DAMAGE. "Very truly yours, seen the man in the road." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was to-morrow." opened the door, and slipped through. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for strength." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, other lovers by making love himself." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "How about poison?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "None." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our hardly wander." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I guessed as much." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black despaired of." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Then let me do so?' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our asked with his eyes open. to have that photograph." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and it need not interfere very much with one's other him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "A thing like a cleaver," said he. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Most admirably.' "None." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "No sign of it?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a might have a private word with us. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "The best possible." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "My stepfather's business papers." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And from a noble client?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the know what is wrong with it.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, are, and they are waiting for us." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left even so self-evident a thing as that." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "My Mary? Impossible!" "No, but the enclosure is." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used figure." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are,