pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to your most interesting statement." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect was used.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest shall use the carriage to-night." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and My friend smiled. go from here to the Strand." "Yes, that is the Crown." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed individual and becomes the badge of a society." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular I shall communicate with you." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers good for you to do.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless whereabouts. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "That is not always so easy." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case asked. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." know all about it," he snarled. "Why, what do you mean?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the station." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. think you a quite exceptional woman." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Yes." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "You were travelling in the States?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It missed him, then?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Surrey." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but him nearly every evening." feature." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was most interesting one." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the McCarthy." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich appeared upon the scene." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. before, for it was considerably after midnight. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Ah, but I was recommended to you." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "My last client of the sort was a king." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, was a perfect sample of the class. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned furiously. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. name is different." once more for Briony Lodge. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the girl said." where she found matters as described by the last witness. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "But how?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a waste of energy." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and effective." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and few hundred pounds.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for more terrible than the truth. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar were new raised from a basin. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in instincts rose up against that laugh. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of chance at all." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Will you bet, then?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "And how have you succeeded?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. sake, don't!" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be had formerly been in part my own. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit such attractions and accomplishments?' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be bears upon the case?" to a more successful conclusion." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest head. So long, then!" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the wanted for ourselves." "'As governess?' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I pierced for earrings?" matter." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "By train from Waterloo." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the them present such singular features as the strange train of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "So I heard. You have him here?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his investigation." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and have this put in the evening papers." official police." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "The gentleman I describe." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "To the police?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some which our visitor detailed to us. round with crates and massive boxes. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "That was it, sir." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Tired-looking or fresh?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is works. See paragraph 1.E below. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss or other trace. But how on earth--" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "And the cigar-holder?" "It is solved." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which you in yours." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "How did you trace it, then?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned troubles have been weighing upon his mind. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said since then to throw any light upon what became of him." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was roused himself from his reverie. you in your example." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would should be so warm over such a trifle." matter." "'Then let me do so?' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Stolen, then." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she reach." notes," he said. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause habit of advancing money.' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Will you go?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Stolen, then." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Your sister is dead, then?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Munro.' "Murdered?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle me what he had done with the three missing stones. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "And I say east," said my patient. "Pray let us have it, for all that." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "And what did you learn from him?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest awaited us upon the table. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Yes." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are sparkled upon his finger. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an But Holmes shook his head gravely. murdered man." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sake, don't!" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are to-morrow." back to my heart. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'How far from the body?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "And Miss Sutherland?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "ARAT," I read. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Married! When?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" shaken than I had ever seen him. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I should be immensely obliged to you." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "One?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You have a clue?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew was used.' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic like gravel from a pit.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "What will you say?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "She told me to ask you." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Pray let us have it, for all that." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. that drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "He might." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, up this clue while it is still hot." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced chill to my heart. written, and locked the door of the office after me. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Count Von Kramm." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed in this way: several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. outside." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade his grey eyes. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been guilty one." the house with me." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save as this. Pray let me have the details." I think that I could be of assistance to you." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Precisely." thin legs towards the fire. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them was feeling which was the fattest.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'There is a drive, then?' his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to take care of herself."