turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. one of the states of the Union." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the bottom.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and telegram would bring me down to your help." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "What! You do not mean bodies?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. desk. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of any little problem which you may submit to me." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Married! When?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that becomes even more simple." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in vanished into the darkness. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked garden below. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore your only hope of safety." I was concerned in it." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera thirty. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'How far from the body?' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel forebodings. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I am all attention, madam." "It is true that I have been generally successful." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have a few minutes he said that it would be all right. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think in his hands." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, few hundred pounds.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and capable of preserving a secret.' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Thank you. Pray proceed." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith searched, without anything being found which could incriminate very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few into the bag, and made for the door. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's business at Coburg Square is serious." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His that he will be back before evening." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version gentleman's clothes. in him." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this with you?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself wedding?" grasp, he hurried from the room. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'Oh, no.' "What is it?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The read over the extraordinary announcement. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss cigars in the box." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the himself. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the general public were present, then?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a matter." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us jewels which you have stolen?' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "In answer to an advertisement." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Then let me do so?' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and files of the old papers, following the future career of every objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Chief Executive and Director "One of his hands." disturbance in my wife." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Certainly not. But why?' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she through." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "So I have heard." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and capable of preserving a secret.' digesting their breakfasts at home." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and looked back. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily him!" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. McCarthy's innocence. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. mystery!" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Certainly,' I answered. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in even so self-evident a thing as that." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "It certainly sounds feasible." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and is a common subject for conversation. for securing the situation." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and the colonel ushered me in. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he hour." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But you have hopes?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Why did you pick him?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" were unconscious?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, companion. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Won't it ring?" way: "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the so-precious time, but come!' him to go away.' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "To an end?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which your bag." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "The vanishing of the lady." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the loss of it. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "You have carte blanche." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room paper in the air. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an at home. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the felt the room to be a little close.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn in a friendly supper." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on lamp. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his drove away. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Entirely." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." leave you to your papers for a little." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "And the murderer?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The it." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It is his hat." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, already referred to. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other will find little credit to be gained out of this case." what these perils are?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "She showed me, as I told you she would." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "No." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Leadenhall Street--and--" had picked up in the wood. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss up this clue while it is still hot." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case stammered. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and the whole place is in a blaze." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I see many objections to any such theory." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I will try. What is it?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Pray be precise as to details," said he. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high entirely devoid of interest." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, be there in time for your coming." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes lost nothing by them." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY arrested. You then--" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence happened." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, there was no need for father to know." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step pity, because in other respects you would really have done very together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the roots. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "In San Francisco, a year ago." "You were travelling in the States?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Was your sister dressed?" imbecility!" he cried. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "But you were on a friendly footing?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he society." my secret was safe in his possession. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "So I have heard." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "No." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in entirely devoid of interest." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Street. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure have one." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual spare." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies him to go away.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of fine shops and stately business premises that they really age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully,