"An accident, I presume?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, it." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he companion. heavily into it. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Did he not advertise?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's know that the truth is known." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable national property. I was determined that the law should have its one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who touch that coronet?' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted purpose of examination. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge made him keep the appointment." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper tightly behind him. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there leaning back in his chair. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make used to be." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, before the coroner and the police-court." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of there was no need for father to know." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Holmes rather sternly. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. you." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "And you can do nothing until then?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very handed it to him. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Chief Executive and Director The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It is a murder, then?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a fled together." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "And how did he make his money?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his My friend smiled. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle villagers almost as much as their master. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had weary and pale-looking. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an himself in a perplexing position. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a of it with the greatest attention. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would your equipment. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I would pay ten." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Mrs. Toller serenely. hand, madam?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "The best possible." to-night's adventure." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. used to be." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said train from Paddington which would bring you there at about even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he off." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British you for a few hours?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round it." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Yes, that is the Crown." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in round and wave him away like that.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she late." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By locked." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope individual and becomes the badge of a society." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," strength in the others." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Absolutely none." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "None." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and no precautions can guard against." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table distinguish the words: makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept later, upon the night of May 2nd." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up quite distinctive." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Who by?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Texas, I think." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with returning from some small jollification and was making his way shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend ready to-morrow?' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Yes." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in the port of London." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of call it cruel." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "No, I think that I'll take it." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "What shall I do?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His note?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I think that it is very probable." purpose equally well?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are better grown goose." "The King of Scandinavia." "It is possible." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached presented more singular features than that which was associated to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "It is half-past ten now." peculiar to him. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the done what I asked you, Jones?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, a very grave face. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief on in his house." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a back alive. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. to you." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man better in every way that they should make their position a little "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the bed, and you in that chair." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made IS "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my in his power. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." them, and came down just as you departed. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I have my revolver," said I. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from these bleak autumnal evenings." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair was shining brightly. new duties?' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Entirely." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin his face. back into the street. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Proceed, then." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and that he will be back before evening." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could instincts rose up against that laugh. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "What will you say?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "It surprised me." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to-night?' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking confronted him. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most over with notes and figures. might help us?" "Murdered?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the said I. make me his representative both with the servants and with the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Ten to two.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New see me here to avoid scandal." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, awkward doing business with an alias." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently tear off another piece?' dates and names. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "My private note-paper." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Nothing?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were other lovers by making love himself." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "What of the rat, then?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I cannot say that I have." floor. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Witness: Nothing definite. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "It came here." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it telegram would bring me down to your help." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in from the brougham. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Deserted you?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point clang of the bell. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. that I am arrested." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" assist you in forming an opinion." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the remarked. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Stoke Moran." more solid." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever where we are going." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to breakfast?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to-night." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which one else, I think." "Did you observe the colour?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in room. following enigmatical notices: