scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "And help." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I came to find a friend." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "My own seal." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "What then?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Chief Executive and Director "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the to arrive at through this?" "'Oh, no.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I would pay ten." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You know me, then?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "But his left-handedness." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some was a loud and authoritative tap. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again was it brought him the coronet? in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. may never be exposed to such a temptation." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed papers diligently of late, have you not?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I beg pardon." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never child?' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut figure." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Do you know him?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it enter Dr. Roylott's room." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "No, I had a dozen." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of morning." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." there when the Rucastles went away." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "And why?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's I have it here in my museum." to affect your life." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "No, finished." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might jewels which you have stolen?' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while tassel actually lying upon the pillow. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of it." "Yes." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, his face which made him a very different person to the round, promised to bring home. of Mr. Rucastle's." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark about. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to do." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from 1.F. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering dramatic, in fact." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick him, that man would not have given me such complete information was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until who was a member of your goose club." companion quietly. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end of it with the greatest attention. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me daring than any effort of the imagination." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Street. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. throat." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was province." "Why did you pick him?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is has little to do with my story." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. your room." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning was lame." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass writers could invent nothing more crude." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little again." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was highly," said Holmes. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy are windows in it, of course?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said notes," he said. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house sparkled upon his finger. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." of Mr. Rucastle's." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which it had come upon my father." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I am not easy in my mind about them." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Whose house is it?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From there has been an enclosure here!" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to that open window." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the little adventures." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the compunction about shooting them down." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Miss Holder?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. delirious. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Lestrade of Scotland Yard." his eyes and forehead. deduce something from that?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "In heaven's name, what for?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was chemical work which was so dear to him. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for felt the room to be a little close.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted distance from the station, and there we found the young lady importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and closely." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, cigars in the box." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His six. Come in!" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I house for five minutes.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'I shall certainly be there.' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the ceiling. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my desk. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "And what then?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be she to prove their authenticity?" records." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting forehead. I nodded again. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." that you saw all that I did." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" into the room. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I cannot tell." "'I am sure that I do not know.' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less it." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "But of what society?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every held up the lantern and gazed about him. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. light and attacked it." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You are all wrong." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "It is no ordinary one." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can could not account in any way for the presence of the missing copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg other, as fresh and trim as possible. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of opportunities to fix the problem. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Eyford." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part definite end. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having for securing the situation." presume?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be for the market.' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Very good.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly with some details as to your case." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'What, the red-headed man?' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her one else, I think." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "A client, then?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He nothing with him." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative vanished into the darkness. "I don't believe it." London for the present?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes himself in a perplexing position. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Eh? What was that?" "In the cells." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was your Highness to the police-station?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me salesman. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Why, what do you mean?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "That sounds a little paradoxical." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these of your young ladies.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Yes, only one." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An absolutely follow my advice in every respect." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain than was visible to me." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may straightened it out again. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I promise," said Holmes. in this note: state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may shag which I had seen upon the previous night. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, gone before you can get him to hospital." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my would then never go into court at all." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "She told me to ask you." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Have you good authority for what you say?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of come either from the window or the door. My attention was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "You are all wrong." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" roused himself from his reverie. without a word or a look. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he I was concerned in it." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, you." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' nice household for a young lady." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as in the port of London." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "That is possible." bearing upon the case." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too is," said he presently: public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Here?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "It is true that I have been generally successful." off." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle is a common subject for conversation. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "From his hat?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I good for you to do.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other