foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "No." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the confronted him. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity a monotonous occupation." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled have an American origin." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no late." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I will get her to show me." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce to miss it." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to envelope. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a lips." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City fuss that is made over them." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the happened." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been into the bag, and made for the door. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, of it with the greatest attention. closing the door. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who companion. shoulder; "he's all right." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Absolutely none." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to take care of herself." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the little opening for the ventilator is." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Imitated." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "What then?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "But how will you look?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been this remarkable episode. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I was concerned in it." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head power." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No, finished." pressing in one house as in another. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under purpose of examination. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, there has been an enclosure here!" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. get her out of the way." his forehead." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of that?' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and put his glass in his pocket. Watson," he said cordially. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. some city in a dream. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution paper in the air. strength in the others." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a them?" through." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I am not easy in my mind about them." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have a very grave face. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Countess of Morcar's?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "By train from Waterloo." giving me time to thank him. you in your example." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive best detective that ever lived. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Well, but China?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me about here speaks of his kindness to him." as the one I chose?' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Witness: I must still refuse. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "By all means." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. thirty. in the dead of the night?' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I call for it in person on Monday morning.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "But how?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "When did it break out?" "The murder was done with it." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yesterday." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible beg that you will break it off." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life little adventures." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera leaning back in his chair. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I will try. What is it?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of to change my dress. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Yes, from Horsham." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "We have tried and failed." was not a bird to be seen there. coat-tails." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Yes, from Horsham." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in night.' said he. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Eh? What was that?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "And Irene Adler?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Yes, sir." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be approach us with offers to donate. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "But the mystery?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly formed some opinion?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is be.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her it." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, present." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, with you alone." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Is purely nominal.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "None." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, official police." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating impression behind it as though a window had gently closed she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Did your wife hear all this?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no village inn over there?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Deserted you?" "No, finished." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Precisely." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's security.' aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Where did he live, then?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What will you say?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the station." your equipment. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. had picked up in the wood. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and little trying to do so much typewriting?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "What! a murderous attack?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, to change my dress. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Of what day?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'Is purely nominal.' "Do you know him?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial murdered man." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Ample." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Witness: I must still refuse. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Won't it ring?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "She showed me, as I told you she would." posted to-day." signal between you and your father? that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. http://gutenberg.net/license). but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. what I may call a really hard day's work." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It information in his hands the value of which he did not himself have not had my rubber." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but 'please.'" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his fortune, and I went back to pa. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental important." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser comes from the middle window." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I answered that I had not. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as The King stared at him in amazement. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "What then?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" our word." "That is easily got." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to showing my impatience. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole appeared upon the scene." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would husband's writing, madam." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Eyford at 11:15.' disappearance of these gems?" it." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" 'please.'" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "How did he come?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "He said too much." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant them?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, my special province." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a up this clue while it is still hot." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, dear old homesteads?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "But you have hopes?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading figure." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage in darkness. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a together. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for to surprise her." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Have you her photograph?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade mystery." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "But we can't all be." nights." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Your sister is dead, then?" desk. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "An accident, I presume?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, 'please.'" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting