considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. meant." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as been anything against him. He had for years been known as a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than when you have done it." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "And how did he make his money?" was it brought him the coronet? my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of his shoulders. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "But his lameness?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of such attractions and accomplishments?' "That is not always so easy." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I think that it is very probable." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Project Gutenberg-tm works. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "And the murderer?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Dirty?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "And your father? Did you tell him?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty situation." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that later, upon the night of May 2nd." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." becomes even more simple." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You will not go there first?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Sholtos." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'And the work?' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in breakfast." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a hurried away. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who ran thus: the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect advice." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is humiliation." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I habit of advancing money.' gentleman's clothes. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. my friend's incisive reasoning. villagers almost as much as their master. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom telegram would bring me down to your help." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the very letters. But what is this written above them?' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its ready to-morrow?' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit one of the states of the Union." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs know what is wrong with it.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of least a most suspicious remark." could not have written that. It is the German who is so done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good see me here to avoid scandal." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she relation between them, and what the object of his repeated watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had he died? unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." fuss that is made over them." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "No." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "No, finished." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Yes?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And you don't know his address?" "By no means." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest you." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." said I. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'What, the red-headed man?' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly or other trace. But how on earth--" passage and a tap at the door. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Bought." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Not in a good cause." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & affair. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I cannot say that I have." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a leave you to your papers for a little." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the date of his supposed suicide." shoulder. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about outside." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at to where he stood hid behind the curtain. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from village inn over there?" telegram would bring me down to your help." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of mystery!" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from notes," he said. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now good-night and bustled off upon her way. "To ruin me." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Of what?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at your equipment. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Yesterday." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "And why?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "To the police?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" wedding?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box with you?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do directors have had misgivings upon the subject." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his door?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "And you don't know his address?" you." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of anything to do with the matter?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it for the market.' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes, sir." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "The Cedars?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us never came back." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. telegram would bring me down to your help." "There is the writing." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to have that photograph." "Certainly, madam." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not It may be so in this case, also." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Not at all. I only doubt--' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would gone. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "How on earth--" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "It is possible." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of appointment with me for six o'clock?" go from here to the Strand." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I cannot say that I have." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not look dissatisfied." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "You think so, too?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. forecastle of an emigrant ship. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the taking in every detail of the apartment. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this in this note: posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), written, and locked the door of the office after me. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than directors have had misgivings upon the subject." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to as he remarks, very much against the son." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Your presence might be invaluable." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "She told me to ask you." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the enter Dr. Roylott's room." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But his left-handedness." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been his face which made him a very different person to the round, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'Very good.' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion narrative." you." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that he bowed and left the room without another word. better grown goose." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "What have you to say now?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came at once, for I have only half an hour." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed seven miles from Eyford Station.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in be best to do. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the stable lane now." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. disappearance of these gems?" "Yes, that is the Crown." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "What then?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "You are hungry," I remarked. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Certainly." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, you, my dear young lady?' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the salesman. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No. What a strange idea!" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "When did she vanish, then?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "What then?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Entirely." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm straightened it out again. "No bad?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that allusion to a rat. to-night?" I asked. throat." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "That is not always so easy." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is a very grave face. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I think that it is very probable." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "A call for help, you thought?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Nothing." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less gives a meaning to it." "Yes, sir." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous pictures, libraries, or plate. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Oh, no.'