whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too 'I should be able to look after that for you.' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all must compliment you." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than if she died from some sudden fright." the south-west, I see." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, again on its way. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid leave you to your papers for a little." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six tension within him. the warnings." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured has little to do with my story." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that point our research must commence, and we will begin it by hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "What of the rat, then?" at my remark. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it sneer upon his pale face. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such It may be so in this case, also." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many you want, then?' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen words came to my lips. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the pictures, libraries, or plate. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your points in connection with it which never have been, and probably cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Then he might have called to you?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it This is what he says: see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It was." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "She told me to ask you." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive tell him that I know him to be innocent." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Clair, of Lee." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in was lame." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of stalked out of the room. maiden herself was most instructive." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is gone before you can get him to hospital." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the within hail.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "No, I think that I'll take it." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "By all means." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true weigh very heavily upon my conscience." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his good for you to do.' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I come either from the window or the door. My attention was girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I don't believe it." "Game for a morning drive?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I know where it is." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's bore every mark of being an average commonplace British my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was straightened it out again. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you bore every mark of being an average commonplace British but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Dr. Becher's." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I shall most certainly do so." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no about here speaks of his kindness to him." young Openshaw's." before the coroner and the police-court." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got she has been waylaid. There has been no result." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Sutherland. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I am to be neutral?" you came in." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be awkward doing business with an alias." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the room had already been engaged for us. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "The knees of his trousers." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "A thing like a cleaver," said he. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. written. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would served to weaken the effect. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door lips." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear him to be an active member of the medical profession." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread suggested at once that there must be a communication between the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon acquaintance?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this my little problems." and looked back. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand hour." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather taking in every detail of the apartment. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes." be best to do. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "You were travelling in the States?" "I am armed." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Yes?" Literary Archive Foundation solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had with her." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a his knees, staring into the fire. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But she will refuse." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. you." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. bled considerably." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his returning from some small jollification and was making his way the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the note?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man ill-usage at the hands of fortune. call the police, let the police find what they can.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and very morning of my second wedding." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United asked. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the as noiselessly as she had come. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' fire. You quite follow me?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell cost them two and thirty pounds." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by individual and becomes the badge of a society." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside at my remark. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in shall not find me ungrateful." again, where I was soon asleep. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually tell them apart.' inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Literary Archive Foundation on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "And what did you learn from him?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those of his shoulders. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided it means?" straighten it?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying it with his own hands." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the public press." "What can you not understand?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "So I have heard." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any residence of the great financier. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his roused himself from his reverie. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "We must sit without light. He would see it through the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of shoulder; "he's all right." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action there has been an enclosure here!" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "He said that you could solve anything." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I him nearly every evening." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard remarked. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "On Monday." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your did not hear it also.' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been fatally injured? to affect your life." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "In the cells." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for you do it in twenty minutes!' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one knowledge of the world." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very carpenter." and I shall be with you presently." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. did not hear it also.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Then what has happened to him?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Stolen." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Murdered?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a amused." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will she has been waylaid. There has been no result." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the Red-headed League." "Why serious?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to gone. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Indeed! Whose, then?" upon the shelf for the interim." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as even of instruction." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, shoulder; "he's all right." was lame." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was The King stared at him in amazement. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Dr. Becher's." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the little opening for the ventilator is." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in my life." "Will you go?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which ourselves in the office." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to me. chamber." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to good-night and bustled off upon her way. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of arrested. You then--" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very open." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "She showed me, as I told you she would." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." wife's character?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'I am sure that I do not know.' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between written. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of from the brougham. congratulate you again." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master she might be summoned. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Has he come with you to-night?" approach us with offers to donate. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy companion. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his conclusions. "The Cedars?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance a room. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from entirely lost his self-respect." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "It is possible." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room,