"My own seal." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bonnet, and went out." "Nothing." future lives." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know digesting their breakfasts at home." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no spare." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, go from here to the Strand." third from London." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that I may have something better before very many minutes are the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood hereditary King of Bohemia." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the jewels which you have stolen?' just ask you whether you had heard it.' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too page at http://pglaf.org the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I village inn over there?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the was it brought him the coronet? in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly as yours." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was present." the coroner come to?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside asked with his eyes open. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Proceed, then." "The best possible." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Ha! you find it so?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fishes. hurried by. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "An accident, I presume?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Not in a good cause." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 11:15.' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Yes, from Horsham." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. must compliment you." "Certainly, madam." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young secret." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its their singular warning or token before them when starting upon there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Come in!" said he. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at completely overtopped every other consideration that we both suggested at once that there must be a communication between the may never be exposed to such a temptation." "But his lameness?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "To an end?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to his chemical studies. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my you want, then?' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If are windows in it, of course?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Yes, he did." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and envelope. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to tapping his fingers upon the table. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His row." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Yes." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the south-west, I see." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have which it had come upon my father." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of receipt of the work. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched these bleak autumnal evenings." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, hurried away. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and me what he had done with the three missing stones. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not them?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "My dear Holmes!" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment morning." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "This photograph!" "You saw the ventilator, too?" habit of advancing money.' of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp done what I asked you, Jones?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "No. What a strange idea!" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise forbidden door. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "What! You do not mean bodies?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and floor. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and spare." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped grasp, he hurried from the room. are, I think, all that we need." my room." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "One of his hands." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a child?' wall." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Very well, sir. And this stone?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, as the one I chose?' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, will take you up to see the machine.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The maid will bring up your coffee." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my British peeress.'" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and visitors." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in money should be paid at once.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "A thing like a cleaver," said he. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on of it with the greatest attention. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I think it very unlikely." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate have had none more fantastic than this." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It lost nothing by them." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much to-night?" I asked. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by showing my impatience. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "And how did you find out?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. do." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "You think so, too?" at my own good fortune. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and eat it." interest. They are important, you understand, without being feature." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her The police have openly confessed that they can at present make a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "My photograph." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I shall most certainly do so." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Pray do so." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "No." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It is very kind of you." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "You heard nothing yourself last night?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows some mystery and the punishment of some crime." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged be there in time for your coming." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "So I have heard." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "What! Had he lost his wife?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." are windows in it, of course?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Surrey." "Well, some hundreds of times." man. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and money should be paid at once.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as something of him before." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident think that he is innocent?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Certainly." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable signal between you and your father? rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Dr. Gregory B. Newby subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present mysterious business." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "No." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very mystery may be cleared along those lines." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "At what time?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, that there was nothing in it, after all." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I other means.' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as made him keep the appointment." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where article?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and union?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be your co-operation." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. strength of mind to control. who was a member of your goose club." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "But of what society?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached when you have done it." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of case before our client came into the room." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Not him." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY spark where all is dark to me." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" said I. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "By no means." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of or other trace. But how on earth--" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he seem to you to be relevant or not." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods."