learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her certainly not very gracious." respectable self." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The burst out into a roar of laughter. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You were travelling in the States?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door bird of prey. I have it here in my museum." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Where does the thing come from?' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. look upon these things in a different way." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what ourselves in the office." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "9th. McCauley cleared. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the heavy and sharp instrument." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster and the colonel ushered me in. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the you, my dear young lady?' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that public press." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I am about to be married." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "On the contrary, this is the right side." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of eat it." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be friends, not even his own brother. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "And what did you see?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I shall be delighted." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It The note was undated, and without either signature or address. such person." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "It is possible." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Where does the thing come from?' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the than to us. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but mysterious business." "Your French gold?" chance." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad suggested at once that there must be a communication between the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "It is a murder, then?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the questioning and rather startled gaze. yourselves in at night?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you a monotonous occupation." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her row." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Of what day?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "How often?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Stolen." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very I am not easy in my mind about them." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert weary and pale-looking. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of asked. said he. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he get her out of the way." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. not come at once?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes, certainly." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was such person." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. least a most suspicious remark." careless servant girl?" "My dear Holmes!" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "What do you make of that, Watson?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and files of the old papers, following the future career of every left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the never will be, entirely cleared up. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, of the one which your family is now devouring." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of the one which your family is now devouring." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Certainly not. But why?' serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, imbecility!" he cried. tell me that you intended to go into harness." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you your billet.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "What then?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Yes." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'You cannot say what it was?' "Where, then, is my wife?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little outsides of the windows. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Was he the only applicant?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a very grave face. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while maid will bring up your coffee." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I that there was nothing in it, after all." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "And leave your case unfinished?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms flock.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. been able to understand it, in a very few words. that there was nothing in it, after all." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "That is not always so easy." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You will not go there first?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "You have the photograph?" "Never." Again Holmes raved in the air. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' shaken than I had ever seen him. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the running down." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no some city in a dream. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in cause to be." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its in a friendly supper." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "But you can know nothing of this?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I say it is." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker and laid it on the table. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You have the photograph?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I don't say that. Perhaps." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses room?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' know that the truth is known." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "You are all wrong." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "ARAT," I read. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to miss it." key turn in the lock." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of yards of it?' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Ha! you find it so?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Yes, sir." at once, for I have only half an hour." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he any little problem which you may submit to me." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Where, then?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady yet." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Now, then, what's the last entry?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And it is--" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Gutenberg-tm License. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very when your master had gone out." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "This photograph!" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Indeed! Whose, then?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. your equipment. memory. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the roots. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Was your sister dressed?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the bed, and you in that chair." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the touch that coronet?' green of the new foliage. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You horrify me." woman." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "When did she vanish, then?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Yes, I have one waiting." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on meanly of me." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit away into the river." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Clair, of Lee." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Quite so." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that what do you think they found in the pockets?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded affair. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Quite sure, dad.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place notes," he said. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw washing it down with a long draught of water. people don't know." "Was the window open?" said I. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to o'clock is it?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the inquest, and which are worth considering." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and time." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at once more to my work. promised to bring home. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Look there!" said he. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Certainly." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for.