conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the business?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Nothing?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush mysterious business." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I beg pardon." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. waste of energy." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The During two years I have had three consultations and one small room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I think that it is very probable." never to learn it at all." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Nothing." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My my special province." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for are, I think, all that we need." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in should be so warm over such a trifle." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I do." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "My dear Holmes!" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his stalked out of the room. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. here." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "What of the rat, then?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. invisible to me," I remarked. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard you." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "To the police?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the so-precious time, but come!' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of receipt of the work. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work bled considerably." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing true." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Doctor, of the paper and the date." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp have had none more fantastic than this." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Very much so." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "And how?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Serpentine Avenue. have not had my rubber." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a everything which you would wish to know." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which front of me. Does that suggest anything?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my showing my impatience. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you delirious. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "A greater distance to travel." front of me. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I should wish to." "And who is her maid?" there." "You are all wrong." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the investigation." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his shoulder. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, opportunities to fix the problem. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the that I am arrested." behind me. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "When did she vanish, then?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and look dissatisfied." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Yes." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. his face which made him a very different person to the round, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. nothing of it?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the very morning of the wedding." it." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our noting anything else of interest. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows your troubles." "Ah!" occupations.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And when will you call?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told affair. may have an influence upon European history." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of touch that coronet?' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." retorted upon me, and I on you." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own bell. Holmes whistled. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "But I am all in the dark." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" some water from a caraffe. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step once more. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his gigantic client. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The yards of it?' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the date of his supposed suicide." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in together. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I man. "What can you not understand?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Then how many are there?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his congratulate you again." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "And why?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, hand, madam?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The this man was intellectual?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Yes, he did." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would a few minutes he said that it would be all right. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "The King of Scandinavia." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and effective." of it with the greatest attention. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Yes." "In heaven's name, what for?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, records." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but test if we have an answer to our advertisement." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and shall probably return to London by the evening train." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is information in his hands the value of which he did not himself absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "And on what day did he meet his death?" corner of the building. Eyford." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which was all perfectly true. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. is so. I know all about McCarthy." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now I shall continue with my miserable story. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from memory. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his at once, for I have only half an hour." was not a bird to be seen there. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." followed. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the stones. any." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "You are certainly joking, Holmes." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "ARAT," I read. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always any more." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Where to?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "And how in the world did you find them?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross conversation I have gathered that they have been married about but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. said I. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "It is solved." confronted him. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to surprise her." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And upon the white wrist. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. least a fellow-countryman. "How are you getting on?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Because he was handy and would come cheap." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I will try. What is it?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Here?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door absorbing." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I from you?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your eat it." business?" upon the sideboard." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one once more on the important position which you have been fortunate formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at October 9, 1890. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern experiences." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as which it had come upon my father." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." here and I will read it to you: previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. you." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to which are rolled in Rotterdam." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may them, and came down just as you departed. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came goes." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had behind me. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was a lad." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped which I could not give. He asked for Alice. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your interest. They are important, you understand, without being upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in this remarkable episode. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Did your wife hear all this?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a could gather together that I was able to avert another public lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned tell him that I know him to be innocent." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Certainly,' I answered. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," burst into a hearty fit of laughter. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I had this final quarrel? direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish too. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it existence." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian him." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the