"This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place lids now and glanced across at his visitor. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair nothing with him." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came coat-tails." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Nearly eleven." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in searched, without anything being found which could incriminate entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I cannot think." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of very old mansion. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "What is it?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook advice." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip photograph?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his he. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'In my own bureau.' fire. You quite follow me?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your IS "10th. John Swain cleared. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning call the police, let the police find what they can.' For additional contact information: money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "But how will you look?" "Yes." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear my special province." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers written. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "My stepfather's business papers." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. congenial hunt. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Certainly." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' felt?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "That is unusual in a young girl." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I am in hopes that she does." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when chemical work which was so dear to him. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was once more to my work. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe it." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less himself to hunt down. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took was a loud and authoritative tap. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I will try. What is it?" "I cannot tell." "What then?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose me where it went to?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect developed." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew closing the door. pierced for earrings?" "I cannot tell." "My dear Holmes!" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Was he the only applicant?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the not, dad?" she asked. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are at my own good fortune. both be extremely obliged.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the prisoner's face. Leadenhall Street--and--" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for a little more before I quite committed myself. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "And your mother is alive?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some were new raised from a basin. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right was a lad." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the his face which made him a very different person to the round, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in outside. gives a meaning to it." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was lost his Christmas dinner." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yes?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part dead, shall be safe with us." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close prove to be little relation between the different incidents of again before evening." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Eyford at 11:15.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Thank you. Pray proceed." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just outside. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "He might." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said undoubtedly my uncle's." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood said he. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." neither fascinating nor artistic." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Certainly,' I answered. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he died? which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found observed. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "But how?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I don't say that. Perhaps." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Did he not advertise?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "And what then?" the south-west, I see." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to most interesting one." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Quite sure, dad.' "Pray do so." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Holmes' thin, eager face. opportunities to fix the problem. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "But she could not love him." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "And Irene Adler?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I cannot tell." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so bears upon the case?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel bedroom door." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I will, Miss Turner." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, guilty one." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. developed." "The doctor?" entirely lost his self-respect." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Do you know him?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are if she died from some sudden fright." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "How long did she speak to this Alice?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I will not look." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had lost his Christmas dinner." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the shoulder; "he's all right." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the brain must have something in it." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Entirely." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I am in hopes that she does." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the devil!" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the inner apartment." retorted upon me, and I on you." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "In the cells." be.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "But your client--" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE think that he is innocent?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I think it very unlikely." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I should like to see him very much." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own skylight. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to kind enough to tell me what I should do." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it vault. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Not in the least." "'Never.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "But you can know nothing of this?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his think that any burglar could have done. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Was she in good spirits?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It came here." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any 1.E.9. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "And what did you learn from him?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. papers must be those that are destroyed.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'Stolen!' he cried. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "When did it break out?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "You don't mind breaking the law?" than to us. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in simple cases which are so extremely difficult." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "My own seal." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my distinguish the words: "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On developed." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his salesman. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "It certainly sounds feasible." "I know where it is." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Pray be precise as to details," said he. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It certainly sounds feasible." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the you, my dear young lady?' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly http://gutenberg.net/license).