went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. lamp in his hand. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "And what then?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" spare." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story she used." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the driver. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "That's no good." This is what he says: gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me have established a very serious case against the son of the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Street. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more down. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner had picked up in the wood. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "It is half-past ten now." "By no means." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It is true that I have been generally successful." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Holmes." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Doctor, of the paper and the date." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, were wasted." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared felt the room to be a little close.' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in minor matters until to-morrow." humiliation." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Witness: It was. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Holmes." persecution?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, face and glided from the room. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his face which made him a very different person to the round, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my him nearly every evening." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between whereabouts. have established a very serious case against the son of the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'Where could I find him?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. clang of the bell. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "The Cedars?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad call it cruel." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the becomes even more simple." was a perfect sample of the class. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not fishes. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Never to return." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a kindly on the shoulder. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "My dear Holmes!" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, speckled band?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." narrative." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill money should be paid at once.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or James Windibank. Voilà tout!" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my speckled band?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Where, then, is my wife?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the know that the truth is known." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Certainly, madam." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for neither fascinating nor artistic." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed should be so warm over such a trifle." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. closely." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this quick march!" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Was she in good spirits?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And now?" He raised his hand. that you can jump it.' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, that I am arrested." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Very truly yours, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank man. said I. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as only touch the interest." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again tear off another piece?' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'A dozen yards or so.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at tail." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I outsides of the windows. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes, the wine-cellar." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed made his money." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the vault. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Eyford at 11:15.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were written. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "You think so, too?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an hereditary King of Bohemia." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "And it is--" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my delighted to hear it," he said. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Heh?' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I am in hopes that she does." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I promise," said Holmes. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "That is not always so easy." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. himself. should be taken.' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, seem to you to be relevant or not." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "On Monday." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the which are rolled in Rotterdam." indeed which he could not unravel. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "But who is he?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand me." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "What shall I do?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was bedroom door." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or out." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. once more. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, villagers almost as much as their master. "Was there a secret marriage?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this written. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a pressing in one house as in another. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a on in his house." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester obstinate." "None." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the companion. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'And what salary do you ask?' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to as he folded up the epistle. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or just ask you whether you had heard it.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If that he has suffered." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. woven round him. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "One?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'You cannot say what it was?' "The King of Scandinavia." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'And what salary do you ask?' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "You will not go there first?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to matters immensely." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Indeed! Whose, then?" once more. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was weary and pale-looking. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "No, my brougham is waiting." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS was a loud and authoritative tap. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and call you and give you the chance." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and a shock of very red hair. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Yes, they were peculiar boots." wedding?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body lost nothing by them." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly future lives." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and capable of preserving a secret.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked you want, then?' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady