seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I say it is." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance one else, I think." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and had a long day." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before my little problems." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw would apply.' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of this gang." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers was already answered. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on instituted." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching and the colonel ushered me in. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. here and I will read it to you: arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Then the page we have seen--" "What then?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone was a lad." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I have accepted such a situation. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His for securing the situation." Surrey." and wait." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "On your arm?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "At half-wages, in fact." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had business." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I am still in the dark." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "That is unusual in a young girl." investigation." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." bare slabs of marble. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a that threaten you." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His conduct the inquiry." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be fuss that is made over them." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know made his money." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK himself to hunt down. "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "But he might be a bachelor." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Ten will be early enough." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at on re-entering her father's house?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "My dear Holmes!" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. strong reason behind." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful ashen face. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes, certainly." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than face and glided from the room. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. way: few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my to miss it." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have fear." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I fishes. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Perfectly so." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Come in!" said he. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until waste of energy." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them empty. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that peculiar to him. "He is still with you, I presume?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And sit in the dark?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "That sounds a little paradoxical." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out said he at last. The summons was a brief and urgent one. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Certainly,' I answered. if only as a check to my own memory." "Never." "It was." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." carriage. It was a chestnut." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "That is not always so easy." "How about poison?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "From his hat?" "But how?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Literary Archive Foundation Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has upon the white wrist. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in furiously. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "No, thank goodness, she did not." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote be. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to-morrow." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his prepare for the new role I have to play." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And you thought he was pulled back?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great in my life." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, all that?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. amused." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the have been better. It is all right." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, me where it went to?" Lee, in the county of Kent." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very companion. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that even so self-evident a thing as that." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of go back?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some at home. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the coronet in his hands?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes, the wine-cellar." that?' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a prepare for the new role I have to play." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of could gather together that I was able to avert another public Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'And what salary do you ask?' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "The landlord of the Alpha." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I will, Miss Turner." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the be. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "No." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the becomes even more simple." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. promised to bring home. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the loss of it. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I examine." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Where could I find him?' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering meanly of me." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous never will be, entirely cleared up. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he round and wave him away like that.' in the port of London." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "None." "Whose house is it?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. paper in the air. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'I have already given you my word.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I cannot tell." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' case-book, which he consulted. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of the way of danger. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I tell them apart.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "And what did you learn from him?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "So I heard. You have him here?" I was concerned in it." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Stolen." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the dates and names. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the date of his supposed suicide." them, and came down just as you departed. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. one which it was hard to resist. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet I shall communicate with you." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of receipt of the work. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "The knees of his trousers." "'You cannot say what it was?' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" meant it for the best. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in gone before you can get him to hospital." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His trifles." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "My private note-paper." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Quite sure, dad.' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly with you?" "Will you bet, then?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off."