"And who is her maid?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the matter." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "What, then, did Peterson do?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Murdered?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'I have already given you my word.' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Certainly." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself your bag." "That is it on the dressing-table." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Doctor, of the paper and the date." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in seven miles from Eyford Station.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I think that I had better go, Holmes." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And it is--" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off always that they were such commands as a lady might with of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. chance." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said troubles have been weighing upon his mind. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "One of the highest in England." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and John Swain, of St. Augustine. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Proceed, then." "I cannot imagine." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Yes, they were peculiar boots." believe that I should never have any practice at all. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon look dissatisfied." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a developed." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him this poor creature." opened the door, and slipped through. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "So I have heard." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both was a perfect sample of the class. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions DAMAGE. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, but only for you and me." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Street. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly been with you?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "This photograph!" "Then, as to money?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, danger is over." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I despaired of." of his shoulders. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Well, it is a possible supposition." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Well." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ceremony." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. affection." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Chief Executive and Director Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The Cedars?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his stood on the top of it. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium whereabouts. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Then I can wait in the next room." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was occurred." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "How did he come?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Not in the least." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It is possible." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Yes." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the was shining brightly. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." there was no need for father to know." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. in him." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to have that photograph." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. heavily into it. "When did she vanish, then?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss DAMAGE. the date of his supposed suicide." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have were wasted." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security be sorry for having acted so harshly." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, read it out to me." "But how did you gain them?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "If I can be of use." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name with the outside air!" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both was keenly on my guard against him. "Well?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Were they all fastened this morning?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Only as much as we can deduce." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it woman." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had house for five minutes.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." my little problems." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if lamp in his hand. "But I am all in the dark." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through during which he might have communicated with his friend the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage undoubtedly my uncle's." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, indeed happy." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was highroad, where all traces were lost. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind occurred." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "No, I think that I'll take it." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes, it was twisted." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number one or two very singular points about this room. For example, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Will you go?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. stalked out of the room. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to you." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the night.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come there were one or two details which were new to me. But the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps photograph?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the spare." "Yes, sir." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "The Coroner: What do you mean? me. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is chambers. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a believe that I should never have any practice at all. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Never to return." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the morning and make my own way in the world.' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Ah!" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" window when the police appeared." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Seven!" I answered. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Holmes rather sternly. papers." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five singular points about the case. What did the police think of the she to prove their authenticity?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the stones. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest strong and stiff." "The knees of his trousers." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round bed dies. Does not that strike you?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I there." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "And it is--" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have help us in this matter." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of said he at last. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could shaken than I had ever seen him. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon pictures, libraries, or plate. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an of Fenchurch Street." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the whatever might befall. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert young Openshaw's." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Stolen!' he cried. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Thank you. And your address?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was door?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from main points of my analysis." minor matters until to-morrow." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The think that any burglar could have done. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that very peculiar words of the dying woman?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the yet." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, when you have done it." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted again on its way. business in the City. She little knew what. chair. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Eh? What was that?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the gives a meaning to it." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning this unhappy family?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and on in his house." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine guilty parties." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. with the outside air!" nonsense.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I will get her to show me." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Entirely.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One