wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he undoubtedly my uncle's." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You think so, too?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the one as in the other." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." disappearance of these gems?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Precisely." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Was the window open?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of his face which made him a very different person to the round, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Quite so." despaired of." appeal." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to take care of herself." together. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting been deceived." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I was sure that I might rely on you." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "It is his hat." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "We were both in the photograph." easy-going way." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Entirely." husband's writing, madam." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that you can jump it.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout their singular warning or token before them when starting upon met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I good-night and bustled off upon her way. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. window when the police appeared." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "How did that help you?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, this as likely?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be John Swain, of St. Augustine. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. your bag." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than fish-monger and a tide-waiter." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the one as in the other." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Well, some hundreds of times." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us cigars in the box." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa lips." the coroner come to?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had at home. "No." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "There are none." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Nothing?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "We have tried and failed." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the figure." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "No." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. you?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the carriage. It was a chestnut." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little entirely devoid of interest." quite distinctive." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The were unconscious?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case beg that you will break it off." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands locked. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. made his money." in his hands." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a bare slabs of marble. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up out of this horrible affair." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, purpose of examination. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Sholtos." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door crime. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into I shall communicate with you." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "But she will refuse." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my a good hundred miles off by now." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I am about to be married." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the dangers which encompass me." empty. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a late!' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring attention." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Never to return." during that time.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "On your arm?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'Yes, I promise.' you?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his other, as fresh and trim as possible. "From his hat?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a good hundred miles off by now." which are rolled in Rotterdam." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable time." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I to a light-house. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in clang of the bell. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, know what is wrong with it.' "Holmes, the busybody!" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Nothing." "And I say east," said my patient. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "On Monday." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over orange pips. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "No." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel long narrative. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a again, where I was soon asleep. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "What then?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour more solid." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to row." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as shag which I had seen upon the previous night. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "By no means." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which occurred." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. train.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Not in the least." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank spare." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to go into your room and bar your shutters?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Quite sure, dad.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived upon the shelf for the interim." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." memory. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a or other trace. But how on earth--" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "It is half-past ten now." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Get out!" said he. instituted." overpowering excitement and concern. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Nothing." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included you, my dear young lady?' "Texas, I think." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of late!' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you ran thus: stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes, only one." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Where could I find him?' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I beg pardon." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "By train from Waterloo." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation had this final quarrel? as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been