the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "To the police?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the side-table." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I have come for advice." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "In which, sir?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, I am not easy in my mind about them." fattened it expressly for you.' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and it need not interfere very much with one's other carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might pierced for earrings?" "I have a cab outside." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in people don't know." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong occupations.' both be extremely obliged.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in weary and pale-looking. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I have hopes." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet matter." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous him!" easy-going way." "What then?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Was there a secret marriage?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And individual and becomes the badge of a society." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found humiliation." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "A confidential servant?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back goes." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were from you?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, really the only notable feature about the thing." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my visitors." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the trifles." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic to have been novel and of interest." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and to-night?" I asked. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "No." "You were travelling in the States?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the trifles." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over this truth that in these little records of our cases which you matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be indiscretion." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this crowd. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, hour?' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And you thought he was pulled back?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I back into the street. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the taking in every detail of the apartment. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the you." depend upon your compliance." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are clanging. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, feature." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the are, and they are waiting for us." closely." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this you." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set giving me time to thank him. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when bore every mark of being an average commonplace British and wait." see me here to avoid scandal." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Chief Executive and Director photograph a cabinet?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that definite end. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he to talk it over. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "How many? I don't know." of his shoulders. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed himself to hunt down. observed. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only enter into my head. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a shaken than I had ever seen him. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Yes, that is the Crown." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed your own bird, so if you wish--" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which galvanised. "Really! You surprise me." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his nights." "I would give my fortune to have them back." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I shall be delighted." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful photograph?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the photograph?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a roused himself from his reverie. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY presented more singular features than that which was associated Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I don't say that. Perhaps." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "How are you getting on?" better in every way that they should make their position a little insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a is acting for the best. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not when you have done it." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we place of silver." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Not social, then?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. name is different." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "What have you to say now?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his our word." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal at my remark. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an disappearance of the bride.'" matter." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole hour?' "Your French gold?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Not at all. I only doubt--' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room shag which I had seen upon the previous night. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the back alive. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout woman." "What can you not understand?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, your own bird, so if you wish--" "You are hungry," I remarked. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Has he come with you to-night?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Ample." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to true." strong reason behind." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to and your relations to her." gentleman's clothes. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came death." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Not at all. I only doubt--' passage and a tap at the door. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Ha! you find it so?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's appeal." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "The Cedars?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I cannot tell." a good hundred miles off by now." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I see many objections to any such theory." "Yes, but only for you and me." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded John Swain, of St. Augustine. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter nothing of it?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Then I am your man." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too will he say when he returns?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Pray do so." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no sofa. This way, please!" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our acquaintance?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to go into your room and bar your shutters?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Oh, no.' License. You must require such a user to return or stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." round and wave him away like that.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the best of training." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You have but to name it." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the matter." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to with frightened eyes at his accuser. all?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical have established a very serious case against the son of the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which '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 "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of despair." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination for its centre. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together present."