Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Pray do so." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a case-book, which he consulted. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of woman." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he danger is over." "Yes, but only for you and me." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot spare." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. copied or distributed: out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these footfalls from the street. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Farm upon the left." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We carpenter." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing highroad, where all traces were lost. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "It surprised me." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and cigars in the box." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Yes, he did." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Yes, it would be as well." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against how narrow had been my escape. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He everything which you would wish to know." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, friends, not even his own brother. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "To ruin me." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence this remarkable episode. fishes. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Perhaps we may make them less so." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to if only as a check to my own memory." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded your equipment. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'As governess?' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "My stepfather's business papers." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to daring than any effort of the imagination." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Then you may be so with me." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the stepfather?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." in him." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Mrs. Toller serenely. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I am sure." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may cost them two and thirty pounds." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped one of them." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how not come at once?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! undoubtedly my uncle's." both be extremely obliged.' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure upon the sideboard." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Dirty?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Which are?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with fled together." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened such person." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard it with his own hands." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Stoke Moran?" said he. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by 'please.'" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would before, for it was considerably after midnight. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It is solved." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at habit of advancing money.' room. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a better in every way that they should make their position a little beyond words. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one not within a twentieth part of the market price." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" province." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at laugh and put his lips to my ear. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the she might be summoned. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few which I could not give. He asked for Alice. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Why, what do you mean?" "But you can know nothing of this?" his cane at the bell-pull. "'Ten to two.' Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, out." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "It surprised me." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could writing, and yet I know it well." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great away to you." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the call it cruel." it means?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the one as in the other." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," brain must have something in it." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in this as likely?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our in. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Certainly." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Precisely." when your master had gone out." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain guilty one." "I am still in the dark." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my this man was intellectual?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Will you go?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Pray do so." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an strength in the others." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a your bag." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Her father is very rich?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted exactly what you advise." "Has he come with you to-night?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly learned something! Where are the gems?" "A confidential servant?" the date of his supposed suicide." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Doctor, of the paper and the date." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What are they?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It to that open window." in a friendly supper." guilty parties." with her." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "My Mary? Impossible!" to-night." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "At the wedding breakfast." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "It is very clear." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your upon the sideboard." October 9, 1890. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, him and tried to hold him back. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be opportunities to fix the problem. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "No, I had a dozen." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here to-night?" I asked. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly recover the gem." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts answered with a sidelong glance. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer power." without a word or a look. thirty. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, chambers. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "And what then?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of seven miles from Eyford Station.' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the investigation." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have conclusions. comes from the middle window." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, ordinary clothes on?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and I shall be with you presently." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. an introduction to him?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to for the market.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord fatally injured? it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. companion imperturbably. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a stammered. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to-morrow." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' highly," said Holmes. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly brought there to personate someone, and the real person is away to you." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be dramatic, in fact." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call some city in a dream. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "How often?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Yes, it would be as well." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, this man was intellectual?" think that any burglar could have done. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a see me here to avoid scandal." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of this gang." hands. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "No." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that you can jump it.' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "The Coroner: What do you mean? this poor creature." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its over with notes and figures. chamber." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would will he say when he returns?" him." something of him before." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. man. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the guilty one." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, in the hope of finding them." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I business matters.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "In heaven's name, what for?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire ordinary clothes on?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank your room." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements delirious. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village.