call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." three fields round his house, and there he would take his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who of the one which your family is now devouring." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You politicians who had been sent down from the North. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I have my revolver," said I. "It came here." in the hope of finding them." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us burst out into a roar of laughter. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of next day. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'Yes, sir.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish some city in a dream. mysterious end." green of the new foliage. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "My dear Holmes!" "At the wedding breakfast." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, passage and a tap at the door. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had married her." a very grave face. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you tail." of the one which your family is now devouring." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "So I have heard." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "And you can do nothing until then?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this rooms." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon quick march!" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Very. But will he see it?" a room. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his wife has ceased to love him." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'And what salary do you ask?' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "But how?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could meant." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I following enigmatical notices: most interesting one." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, to some other building. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can The events in question occurred in the early days of my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Well." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the coronet in his hands?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by have an American origin." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Where, then?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "And I." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "You will not go there first?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And that is--" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been call it cruel." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I see many objections to any such theory." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "How on earth--" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and effective." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere be sorry for having acted so harshly." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first against a man in the prime of life?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to gone. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The vanishing of the lady." derbies." "No." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction before the coroner and the police-court." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in directly by questioning you." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do if only as a check to my own memory." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these weighed down with some great anxiety. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a you?' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but records." with her." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes will he say when he returns?" Holmes. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway in your London, you will know that the office of the company is broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, occurred." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the said he at last. present." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "My opinion is in no way altered." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "May I see it?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house cup of tea. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you than was visible to me." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the highroad, where all traces were lost. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to-night?' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes. He waved his hands." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice never to learn it at all." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker be sorry for having acted so harshly." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. who was a member of your goose club." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could October 9, 1890. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "And help." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "My photograph." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Eh? What was that?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side in the hope of finding them." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to assist you in forming an opinion." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with returned to France?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Imitated." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the bed, and you in that chair." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Was there a secret marriage?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is know that the truth is known." His name is Francis Prosper." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Yes." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and one's self under obligations.' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed James Windibank. Voilà tout!" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his within hail.' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There ago." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to these bleak autumnal evenings." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I have solved it." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had writing, and yet I know it well." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What then?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he strong reason behind." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of heavily into it. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the in one or two places in England?' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a morning." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the morning." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical present strange and interesting features that it is no easy acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits foresight and the moral retrogression?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'I am sure that I do not know.' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the article?" "No, distinctly professional." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air such attractions and accomplishments?' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not examine." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I have a cab outside." "No." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself quick march!" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside intimate personal affairs in this public manner." observed. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Ten to two.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I am sure." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "To an end?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily sofa. This way, please!" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the pictures, libraries, or plate. The events in question occurred in the early days of my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Munro.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a