"I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Then, how do you know?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "She showed me, as I told you she would." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Why serious?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some furiously. in his hands." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a is so. I know all about McCarthy." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may hour." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to States. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by friends, not even his own brother. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I have solved it." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "None. Neville wrote those words." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning a monotonous occupation." present." "Well." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that legal crime." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The ran thus: "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to his knees, staring into the fire. that you can jump it.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime grasp, he hurried from the room. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "It is possible." copied or distributed: seem to you to be relevant or not." woman." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the gbnewby@pglaf.org be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'I am sure that I do not know.' meant it for the best. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting again." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any is now desirous of getting those letters back." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, The events in question occurred in the early days of my finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I me where it went to?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "No?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would man. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Proceed, then." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have his forehead." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some your sleep?' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all but preventing her from injuring another. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. followed. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Why serious?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Nearly eleven." Surrey." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. disappearance of these gems?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from place no limit on the sum I may draw." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'Is purely nominal.' serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I was sure that I might rely on you." was a lad." compunction about shooting them down." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "None. Neville wrote those words." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" letters?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this in a friendly supper." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got chance at all." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. house for five minutes.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported nonsense.' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached nights." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and looked back. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours case before our client came into the room." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to thirty. how narrow had been my escape. any more." following enigmatical notices: "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Whose house is it?" "I never have." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. your billet.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this conclusions. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be acted in my house last night?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his pressing in one house as in another. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a yourselves in at night?" wall." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Upon what point?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Yes, sir." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. him nearly every evening." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and it with his own hands." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Then I do not see the point." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light down. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up arrested. You then--" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the you give your casting vote to?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. official police." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." digesting their breakfasts at home." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly will be renamed. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the remarked. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can forbidden door. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon forecastle of an emigrant ship. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply of receipt of the work. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." points to suicide?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again forecastle of an emigrant ship. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "No." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came page at http://pglaf.org The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked only touch the interest." morning." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert nothing of it?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with acted in my house last night?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you think you a quite exceptional woman." "Thank you. Pray proceed." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read 'I should be able to look after that for you.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "My opinion is in no way altered." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among business at Coburg Square is serious." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could empty. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Certainly not.' "What is it?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Pray continue your narrative." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the unclasping of his long thin hands. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Do you know him?" to tell." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Where does the thing come from?' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. records." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have got?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "To an end?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence light and attacked it." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the warnings." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Just look it up, then." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for nice household for a young lady." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and will not take me long to tell. "Holmes, the busybody!" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear ventilator." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, which are rolled in Rotterdam." "It is no ordinary one." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She footfalls from the street. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, eat it." sufficient punishment." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich when your master had gone out." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' over here." conclusions. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous quite distinctive." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California your co-operation." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall outsides of the windows. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some province." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large woman who has had her own way to make in the world. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. them?" occupations.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'A dozen yards or so.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that