in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "What steps will you take?" I asked. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, cigars in the box." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the coronet in his hands?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your outbreak?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after empty. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. companion imperturbably. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no even of instruction." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" friend's singular character. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange my room." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like morning." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I will do it." me." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey late!' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the that I may have something better before very many minutes are hurried by. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of this gang." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Game for a morning drive?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Yes." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And is that all?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were approach us with offers to donate. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and wait." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Yes, it would be as well." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and definite end. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' matter." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Yes." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Not particularly." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You like gravel from a pit.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Not particularly." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I have seen the police." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was name is different." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. had this final quarrel? white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith prepare for the new role I have to play." "What is it?" "Then I can wait in the next room." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. weapon." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "How did that help you?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the breakfast." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "But it has twice been burgled." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Do you go out much in society?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set sofa. This way, please!" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I cannot imagine." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we figure." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good been with you?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'And what salary do you ask?' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to one which it was hard to resist. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of the vacancies.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "When did it break out?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary do.' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story what I may call a really hard day's work." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Perhaps I have." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Frequently." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back security.' situation." "Whose house is it?" your room." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Do you go out much in society?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Then I am your man." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, ways of our fellow-men." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug hereditary King of Bohemia." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of what I may call a really hard day's work." "Yes, I have one waiting." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "ARAT," I read. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Not particularly." "What I expected to see." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Will you bet, then?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Mary, has deserted me." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single success. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new fasten all the windows?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to yet." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Not in a good cause." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Is purely nominal.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I will get her to show me." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Never to return." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an forecastle of an emigrant ship. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe said he. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you side. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Farm upon the left." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And how in the world did you find them?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I saw her in conversation with her maid." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "How long did she speak to this Alice?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just his face. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to Leatherhead. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Will you go?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Well, but China?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the coronet in his hands?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "In the cells." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit delirious. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "You think so, too?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was with some details as to your case." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our outbreak?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Perhaps I have." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Yes." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him a good hundred miles off by now." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "And your father? Did you tell him?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I have solved it." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step orange pips. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." until night should bring an explanation. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case has little to do with my story." I was concerned in it." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Then you may be so with me." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the stones. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried in this note: did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hopeless attempt at recovering them." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Did he not advertise?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in meant." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in less than 26s. 4d. "Witness: I must still refuse. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and the whole place is in a blaze." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing along the entire front of the house, with three long windows definite end. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you