are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I don't say that. Perhaps." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the soul! here is her carriage at the door." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is arrangements." It may be so in this case, also." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred ordinary clothes on?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "That you are never beaten." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely to miss it." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the night.' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to you." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these my former friend and companion. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that main points of my analysis." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of the way of danger. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "A client, then?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated again on its way. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, a monotonous occupation." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told highroad, where all traces were lost. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah my little problems." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his huge brown hands. "I see no marks." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "By no means." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and the colonel ushered me in. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the you do it in twenty minutes!' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. business?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman husband's writing, madam." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "And now?" I asked. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and undoubtedly my uncle's." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Oh, yes, easily." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of it with the greatest attention. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is get the tickets." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it with his own hands." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that hard-headed British jury." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, chemical work which was so dear to him. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the with the outside air!" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him lumber-room." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. strength of mind to control. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the running down." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his giving me time to thank him. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "How did he come?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed chemical work which was so dear to him. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten writing, and yet I know it well." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up might help us?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "This photograph!" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a disappearance of the bride.'" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our of his shoulders. "So I have heard." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "It is half-past ten now." became a certainty. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "But you were on a friendly footing?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, spark where all is dark to me." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the King without delay." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "None. Neville wrote those words." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I would give my fortune to have them back." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. miles off. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and the whole place is in a blaze." Sholtos." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his here." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "The Coroner: What do you mean? ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever his forehead." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "One of the highest in England." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to out of this horrible affair." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these as he remarks, very much against the son." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Street. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to intrusion of other matters." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come perplexity from it to my illustrious client. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to cigar and let me expound." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. as he remarks, very much against the son." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes, the wine-cellar." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Literary Archive Foundation loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were there is a decided draught." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and laid it on the table. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his legal crime." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Never." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I never have." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, be sorry for having acted so harshly." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? but preventing her from injuring another. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, you." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "The knees of his trousers." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be and put his glass in his pocket. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "But not more so than I to find you." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. as noiselessly as she had come. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "That's no good." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You fasten all the windows?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I am about to be married." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and occurred." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary acquaintance?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an again, where I was soon asleep. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. McCarthy's innocence. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be me." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford there." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods writers could invent nothing more crude." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "But she could not love him." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Pray continue your narrative." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "The knees of his trousers." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they is entirely a question of barometric pressure." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Farm upon the left." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is begin with, and I had not got mine yet." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the child." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story less than 26s. 4d. I have it here in my museum." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love colonel looking down at me. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to maid will bring up your coffee." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Project Gutenberg-tm works. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and put his glass in his pocket. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. as he remarks, very much against the son." the ceiling. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "It is his hat." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no spark where all is dark to me." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in obstinate." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates do." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Then, how do you know?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "But to whom?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I will try. What is it?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the business." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two