should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "None." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go that the gas is not laid on in his house?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own within hail.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and all?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the to Leatherhead. so.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire wanted for ourselves." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided imbecility!" he cried. respectable self." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few know what is wrong with it.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Yes." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Thank you. And your address?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Who by?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah stood on the top of it. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in I was concerned in it." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "How did you trace it, then?" nights." "What?" in darkness. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are which was all perfectly true. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "What is it?" "And why in hopes?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "That sounds a little paradoxical." crackling voice. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and front of me. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Witness: I must still refuse. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "If I can be of use." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the be there in time for your coming." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to Leatherhead. "May I see it?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, suddenly upon us." "I fear not." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer matters immensely." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Where, indeed?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I hands. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I am still in the dark." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "He might." astonishment. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Stolen." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly of the efforts of the United States government and of the better anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a whether it answered to the description of any of their in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what within hail.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the Friday. Was it to be in church?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Thank you. And your address?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which nonsense.' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'In my own bureau.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Murdered?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Will you go?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was one of them." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, are, I think, all that we need." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Of Friday, June 19th." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in what these perils are?" "And why?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up investigation." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Your sister is dead, then?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the dangers which encompass me." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, she used." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "You horrify me." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Is he quiet?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the John Swain, of St. Augustine. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, away to you." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." formed some opinion?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "That sounds a little paradoxical." undoubtedly my uncle's." more terrible than the truth. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'In my own bureau.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone signal between you and your father? from you?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did hard-headed British jury." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "You think that he is dead?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." may have an influence upon European history." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "No sign of it?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "The murder was done with it." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my made his money." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The criminal. We have already had experience of such." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was point in the dark hollow of his hand. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "You are all wrong." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to business at Coburg Square is serious." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who whatever might befall. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "In what way?" asked Holmes. to-night's adventure." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Lestrade of Scotland Yard." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. one of the states of the Union." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to have that photograph." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Pray do so." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the even of instruction." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first before the coroner and the police-court." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of them has the shutters up.' "Well, but China?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank that you saw all that I did." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Come in!" said Holmes. with frightened eyes at his accuser. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover mystery." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, bill, which interests me deeply." breakfast." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of during that time.' I am not easy in my mind about them." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY really the only notable feature about the thing." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are before the coroner and the police-court." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "How about poison?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the station." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked there has been an enclosure here!" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "One horse?" interjected Holmes. system of imprisonment?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you fat-encircled eyes. both be extremely obliged.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and a shock of very red hair. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important colour had been driven from his face. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our tell him that I know him to be innocent." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the carpenter." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may do." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable down from London to inquire more deeply into it." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the morning." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in made his money." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, cigar and let me expound." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a will not take me long to tell. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Of what day?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt union?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "But his lameness?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any look upon these things in a different way." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a business?" as he remarks, very much against the son." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another back to my heart. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the chamber." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! galvanised. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I national property. I was determined that the law should have its should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "When did it break out?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Holmes, the busybody!" the coronet at all injured?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you take the flies, but not before." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." was keenly on my guard against him. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was hurried by. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some a room. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." me what he had done with the three missing stones. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was towards the blaze. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Why that?' I asks. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Have you it here?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Not him." bears upon the case?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "And what did you learn from him?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she six. Come in!" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "No, I am descending." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the little opening for the ventilator is." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and me what he had done with the three missing stones. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to breakfast." I think that I could be of assistance to you." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Yes." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "How long did she speak to this Alice?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your mysterious business." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "What! You do not mean bodies?"