read over the extraordinary announcement. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There DAMAGE. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "What of the rat, then?" him nearly every evening." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "But what is it you wish?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, young Openshaw's." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. people don't know." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, good-night and bustled off upon her way. of his shoulders. me." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously with the outside air!" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "You are all wrong." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, nonsense.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "You forget that I know nothing about it." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Has he come with you to-night?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just there has been an enclosure here!" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently power." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had there." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the discontent upon his features. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "No." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white his face. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "They are typewritten," I remarked. three of the beryls in it, was missing. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It is very kind of you." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." you." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have second." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, if only as a check to my own memory." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able within hail.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the Assizes." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Miss Holder?" friends, not even his own brother. "To ruin me." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Yes." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "What will you say?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly were unconscious?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Holmes rather sternly. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured beg that you will break it off." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in was used.' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Where did you address your letters, then?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience danger is over." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her started for the Temple to see my husband. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Now, then, what's the last entry?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "But of what society?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the like that before?" straighten it?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project fattened it expressly for you.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "The King of Scandinavia." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. in this way: "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own my little problems." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but wedding?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, bird of prey. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind made him keep the appointment." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the stalked out of the room. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to-night." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Yes, all." to-morrow." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the bed, and you in that chair." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees bird I ate is country bred." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Seven!" I answered. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary coroner's jury." "At the wedding breakfast." "I don't say that. Perhaps." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had father's young wife. thirty. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light husband's writing, madam." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as experiences." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend may have an influence upon European history." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Which dealer's?' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" upon the shelf for the interim." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Your sister is dead, then?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." official police." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is be there in time for your coming." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not any." or in danger--" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. discontent upon his features. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. him!" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute himself in a perplexing position. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I cannot say that I have." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came weigh very heavily upon my conscience." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "How about poison?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had before, for it was considerably after midnight. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding green of the new foliage. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can said I. where she found matters as described by the last witness. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very maid will bring up your coffee." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This them present such singular features as the strange train of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at everything which you would wish to know." "What! a murderous attack?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of the efforts of the United States government and of the better glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Really! You surprise me." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could likely to be some crony of the landlady's." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "9th. McCauley cleared. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With you want, then?' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect with the outside air!" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Why, what do you mean?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an but preventing her from injuring another. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging business at Coburg Square is serious." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a upon an income of about 60 pounds." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" together. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Will you go?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "It missed him, then?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to not personally threatened." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner points in connection with it which never have been, and probably been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some own family. "And now?" I asked. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from people don't know." despaired of." "In San Francisco, a year ago." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser and the church but not where the lady lived." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little to where he stood hid behind the curtain. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. be best to do. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in window when the police appeared." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "The vanishing of the lady." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an that I am arrested." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions unprofitable." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white dead, shall be safe with us." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right that there was nothing in it, after all." "Has he come with you to-night?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Never,' said I. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able shoulder. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon,