this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'Certainly,' I answered. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the him and tried to hold him back. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while three fields round his house, and there he would take his satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Perfectly so." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite absolutely follow my advice in every respect." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Quite so." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight system of imprisonment?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he call you and give you the chance." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "But what is it you wish?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, least a fellow-countryman. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. your co-operation." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. have not had my rubber." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Street. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know cost them two and thirty pounds." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to you want, then?' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And you can do nothing until then?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors occupations.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm there!' about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I have my revolver," said I. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "10th. John Swain cleared. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as of Mr. Rucastle's." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, crime. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. my special province." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." certainly not very gracious." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to-night?" I asked. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his been with you?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. I held the little printed slip to the light. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, affection." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he matter." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. straightened it out again. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "We were both in the photograph." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the becomes even more simple." "'Never.' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Yes, it would be as well." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Then you may be so with me." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in way in everything. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the way in everything. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my yet." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social not fit the lock." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to tapping his fingers upon the table. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Was the window open?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to have been novel and of interest." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom in a friendly supper." "Yes." residence of the great financier. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my rose-bushes. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is strong reason behind." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the there is a decided draught." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his both be extremely obliged.' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and effective." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "No. What a strange idea!" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily at my own good fortune. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Did he not advertise?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I highroad, where all traces were lost. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "You'll never persuade me to believe that." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "What have you to say now?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "But I am all in the dark." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. how narrow had been my escape. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner will not take me long to tell. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. was shining brightly. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "On Monday." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in one or two places in England?' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he upon the sideboard." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder learned something! Where are the gems?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be you came in." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this upon the white wrist. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a forebodings. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional records." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'What do you call purely nominal?' with you alone." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth fled together." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there villagers almost as much as their master. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "What! Had he lost his wife?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that yet." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "In which, sir?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told think, you have already met." again before evening." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "You think so, too?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could his fortune, and I went back to pa. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He never will be, entirely cleared up. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I see many objections to any such theory." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "So I am. Very much so." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from detective. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone fasten all the windows?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. business." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the newspaper selections." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, been deceived." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" even of instruction." happened." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted cigars in the box." spark where all is dark to me." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, written. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Where did you address your letters, then?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and dates and names. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I should wish to." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater whereabouts. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life The King stared at him in amazement. London for the present?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "You don't mind breaking the law?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, you came in." quick march!" "Certainly." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a away into the river." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your had died away into the silence from which it rose. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you understand?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Pray continue your narrative." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Sutherland?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I am still in the dark." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at if I call to-morrow?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty in darkness. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." you for a few hours?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the I leave." the coronet in his hands?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Have you her photograph?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back opened the door, and slipped through. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Not I." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "That is easily got." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "You think that he is dead?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be you for a few hours?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's of note-paper. It read in this fashion: My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure brain must have something in it." persecution?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I married her." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than anything to do with the matter?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a father's young wife. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow never will be, entirely cleared up. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the which was all perfectly true. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace