call for protection in the marriage market, for the present I shall continue with my miserable story. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It looks newer than the other things?" "He said that you could solve anything." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for followed. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and this as likely?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre never came back." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. voice. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Very murderous indeed." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of problems help me to do so." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but least a most suspicious remark." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my was keenly on my guard against him. reach." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is she to prove their authenticity?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the gbnewby@pglaf.org as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. spare." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "You'll never persuade me to believe that." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly characteristics, but those are the more obvious." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 vault. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was mystery." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my neither fascinating nor artistic." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and a shock of very red hair. in the dead of the night?' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his whole matter to your consideration." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." papers." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At was already answered. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out you." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "It is very kind of you." waste of energy." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated your billet.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." fasten all the windows?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Very good.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor which we had just quitted. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that was it brought him the coronet? make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I would pay ten." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not instincts rose up against that laugh. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it I. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "He said too much." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, death." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I fear not." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "He said too much." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. I approached. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" despair." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the just called myself is not exactly my own." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." of." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Surrey." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Seven!" I answered. the running down." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I to-night?' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to fat-encircled eyes. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." I. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do you." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. so.' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the point in the dark hollow of his hand. cause to be." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge you do it in twenty minutes!' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It grasp, he hurried from the room. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "In heaven's name, what for?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive place no limit on the sum I may draw." congenial hunt. one else, I think." the salesman. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ready to-morrow?' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "The King of Scandinavia." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "No, thank goodness, she did not." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" straightened it out again. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, which are rolled in Rotterdam." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Never.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been upon the shelf for the interim." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to tackle the facts." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "No." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "How did he come?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying information in his hands the value of which he did not himself didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him forecastle of an emigrant ship. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Chief Executive and Director "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Just look it up, then." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'Certainly,' I answered. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. that I can to serve you." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** certainly do as you advise." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, article?" "The best possible." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Surrey." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them approach us with offers to donate. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his you do it in twenty minutes!' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" goes." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them in a friendly supper." as he remarks, very much against the son." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through depend upon your compliance." "But your client--" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Not social, then?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'Where to?' money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Quite so." the coronet in his hand?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" case-book, which he consulted. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this nonsense.' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It is solved." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I to Leatherhead. This is what he says: and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then would apply.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the general public were present, then?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking skylight. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "The vanishing of the lady." interested in these little problems, and since you are good confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. signal between you and your father? the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no crime. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Thank you. And your address?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Well, it is a possible supposition." it." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I have seen the police." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "The vanishing of the lady." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was away into the river." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I promise," said Holmes. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "The doctor?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you do." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I room. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "What!" he roared. back into the street. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem