turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" thin legs towards the fire. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, room had already been engaged for us. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. nothing with him." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the coronet in his hands?" of Mr. Rucastle's." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "The gentleman I describe." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but http://gutenberg.net/license). when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Were they all fastened this morning?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the in a very precise fashion." entirely devoid of interest." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who an introduction to him?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "He disappeared so suddenly." "She told me to ask you." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "To an English lawyer named Norton." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from words came to my lips. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that bled considerably." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I guessed as much." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I am still in the dark." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This quite distinctive." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own you for a few hours?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY October 9, 1890. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the warnings." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Stolen!' he cried. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I am all attention, madam." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and glanced through. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "But I have heard all that you have heard." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert past. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a one's self under obligations.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "How are you getting on?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of have accepted such a situation. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'You cannot say what it was?' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the stable lane now." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah at once, for I have only half an hour." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Quite so." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his detained." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'Which dealer's?' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Yes, sir.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't upon a handsome competence. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "But his lameness?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." better grown goose." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered in his power. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything fact, we may call it conclusive." "But you can know nothing of this?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'I am sure that I do not know.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property it." from the brougham. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. photograph a cabinet?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'Yes, it was gone.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. enter into my head. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really had this final quarrel? keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "My Mary? Impossible!" opportunities to fix the problem. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to fluttered off among the others. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "My photograph." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker written. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in house for five minutes.' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker gone. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's information in his hands the value of which he did not himself He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But how will you look?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously article?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Very much so." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I fishes. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the crime. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Her father is very rich?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Certainly not. But why?' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "What will you do, then?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 was the fact that his father should, according to his account, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Did you become engaged then?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Which are?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another as yours." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Stolen, then." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yes." rooms." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the coronet at all injured?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'I am sure that I do not know.' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the tragedy. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the went to the Alpha were town bred." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he What do you deduce from it?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "No, finished." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the records." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached photograph?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Then I shall certainly come." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these me what he had done with the three missing stones. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this may have an influence upon European history." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "What!" he roared. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "My dear Holmes!" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. golden eyeglasses. populous neighbourhood." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the some water from a caraffe. "I cannot as yet see any connection." the child." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Why, what do you mean?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you name is different." the bed, and you in that chair." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "It is possible." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the see a sister of mine apply for." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Nothing?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive is worth.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." you?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Leadenhall Street--and--" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can tassel actually lying upon the pillow. with some details as to your case." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Yes, sir." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the one as in the other." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by question you as to those details which seem to me to be most time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their where she found matters as described by the last witness. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Gutenberg-tm License. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Game for a morning drive?" "And leave your case unfinished?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen seven miles from Eyford Station.' your only hope of safety." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through your equipment. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement behind me. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign which it had come upon my father." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him locked." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place have accepted such a situation. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. address. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. himself. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Pray let us have it, for all that." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels."