bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "One of his hands." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. morning." be there in time for your coming." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first I nodded again. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora might have a private word with us. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Holmes rather sternly. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective ways including including checks, online payments and credit card exactly what you advise." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." several quiet little villages up there." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to your co-operation." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a foresight and the moral retrogression?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of never will be, entirely cleared up. IS you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Not in a good cause." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided outsides of the windows. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more highroad, where all traces were lost. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to very morning of my second wedding." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it situation." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Not in the least." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood any." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Frequently." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Certainly." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, upon the shelf for the interim." business." away into the river." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on whereabouts. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I papers." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to my room." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and the church but not where the lady lived." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. which it had come upon my father." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have wall." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "My Mary? Impossible!" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of the vacancies.' "No." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, shall use the carriage to-night." have not had my rubber." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the coronet in his hands?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it address. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" straighten it?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Did you become engaged then?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "One of his hands." developed." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the how narrow had been my escape. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'There is a drive, then?' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Did your wife hear all this?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and looked back. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against extraordinary contortions. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to said he. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and wait." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. done what I asked you, Jones?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, a little more before I quite committed myself. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes advice." all that?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Stolen." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very one else, I think." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen was it brought him the coronet? rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and could not have written that. It is the German who is so the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the gentleman's clothes. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal woman." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out himself in a perplexing position. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, overpowering excitement and concern. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I will, Miss Turner." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "But she will refuse." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this upon the sideboard." "The best possible." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is business." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the was feeling which was the fattest.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Yes?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Proceed, then." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! looking up at the numbers of the houses." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and photograph?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been excitement. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "No." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the IS started for the Temple to see my husband. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," light and attacked it." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom call you and give you the chance." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, which it had come upon my father." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Whose house is it?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Nothing?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, any little problem which you may submit to me." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Why did you beat the pavement?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are not fit the lock." dates and names. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. this unhappy family?" way in." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in he bowed and left the room without another word. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin *** START: FULL LICENSE *** come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. purpose of examination. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the stones. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "But you can know nothing of this?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "You are hungry," I remarked. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We works. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled head. So long, then!" "You forget that I know nothing about it." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the before the coroner and the police-court." "The murder was done with it." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "And Miss Sutherland?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'Ample.' "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two certainly not very gracious." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "By no means." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "How long did she speak to this Alice?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others answered with a sidelong glance. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let deduce something from that?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Never,' said I. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Never to return." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and put his glass in his pocket. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as burst into a hearty fit of laughter. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the second window is the one that I jumped from." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is notes," he said. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And from a noble client?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "And why?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce laugh and put his lips to my ear. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. some water from a caraffe. "I cannot tell." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "No. What a strange idea!" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As cup of tea. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat papers diligently of late, have you not?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "What then?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was undoubtedly my uncle's." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Yes, at the mines." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Well, it is a possible supposition." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Whose house is it?" papers." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Then he might have called to you?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Certainly." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not breakfast and whispered something to her husband. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of the vacancies.' "On your arm?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You should be taken.' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Munro.' "Pray do so." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Lee, in the county of Kent." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "And how?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the my special province." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their