"Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, anything to do with the matter?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to even of instruction." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that you wished to speak to me?' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I have come for advice." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and three of the beryls in it, was missing. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout off." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and go--none." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Holmes rather sternly. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." friends, not even his own brother. families. Now for the facts. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "No, but the enclosure is." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the in this way: Farm upon the left." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I am about to be married." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'There is a drive, then?' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Munro.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to surprise her." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Oh, fresh and glossy." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent little adventures." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," nonsense.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do him to go away.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "None." them, and came down just as you departed. the night.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "And on what day did he meet his death?" as yours." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that there!' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The noting anything else of interest. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "When did it break out?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after even of instruction." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at upon the sideboard." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my in a friendly supper." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to delirious. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little upon the shelf for the interim." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, note?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks not personally threatened." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Thank you. And your address?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. she to prove their authenticity?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for better in every way that they should make their position a little "Where did he live, then?" "No." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "In San Francisco, a year ago." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are cheerful." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Nothing." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would washing it down with a long draught of water. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more presented more singular features than that which was associated "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of one else, I think." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Witness: Nothing definite. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the loss of it. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." might help us?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Did your wife hear all this?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your washing it down with a long draught of water. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a way in everything. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods through." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were was a lad." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow point our research must commence, and we will begin it by night.' said he. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. key turn in the lock." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. dear old homesteads?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "So it appears." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at a room. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." nothing of it?" "And when will you call?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's ventilator." Henry Baker is a member." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more goes." article?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of depend upon my doing so.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I rooms." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and at a side door. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. colonel looking down at me. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and effective." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and peculiar to him. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when already referred to. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness he died? "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual know that the truth is known." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "What! a murderous attack?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "It is half-past ten now." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement one of the states of the Union." "What of the rat, then?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that strong and stiff." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "No, thank goodness, she did not." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "What, then?" "I think that it is very probable." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "By train from Waterloo." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "One horse?" interjected Holmes. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to that I can to serve you." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Yes.' to tackle the facts." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Then I am your man." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'Then let me do so?' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "But what will you do?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person points in connection with it which never have been, and probably astonishment. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'And the work?' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into along the entire front of the house, with three long windows space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Never,' said I. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "It looks newer than the other things?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a call for it in person on Monday morning.' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first cost them two and thirty pounds." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. said I. furiously. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at careless servant girl?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Holmes. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord get her out of the way." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Game for a morning drive?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped putting in the horse. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Heh?' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the tragedy. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, had picked up in the wood. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Were they all fastened this morning?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer voice, changing her seat as requested. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought round with crates and massive boxes. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most matter." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. excitement. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when