sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social yourselves in at night?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole dramatic, in fact." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Come in!" said Holmes. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was over with notes and figures. him and tried to hold him back. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at promised to bring home. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; long narrative. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord from the brougham. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main sofa. This way, please!" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to is acting for the best. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to everything which you would wish to know." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his gone. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat as he folded up the epistle. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a a good hundred miles off by now." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my highly," said Holmes. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'About the same.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Yes, he did." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black towards the blaze. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was arrested. You then--" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), cup of tea. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Yes, sir.' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "And you thought he was pulled back?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "What?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Stolen, then." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are opportunities to fix the problem. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "And how did you find out?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in became a certainty. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the stable lane now." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "But she will refuse." developed." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. already been minutely examined." "The knees of his trousers." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Mary, has deserted me." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an little adventures." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple present." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some acquaintance?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had daring than any effort of the imagination." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with row." the side-table." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And Irene Adler?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "What will you do, then?" For additional contact information: "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the before, for it was considerably after midnight. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I have a cab outside." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and my former friend and companion. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "In heaven's name, what for?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was might have a private word with us. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out you." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all friend's singular character. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of when you have done it." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is back into the street. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "No, my brougham is waiting." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a my little problems." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "What I expected to see." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Witness: Nothing definite. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "One?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Certainly." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," for the market.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an article?" "You know me, then?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'What would be the hours?' I asked. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate from the brougham. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" forebodings. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for This is what he says: word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done she to prove their authenticity?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some legal crime." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year any more." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another http://gutenberg.net/license). answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Game for a morning drive?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "No." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, done what I asked you, Jones?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "It is possible." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Where did he live, then?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You is entirely a question of barometric pressure." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if not personally threatened." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." more solid." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my to-night?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said investigation." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the answer." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that are, I think, all that we need." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yes. He waved his hands." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this which our visitor detailed to us. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the tell them apart.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses considering the formidable letters which were received by himself right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I to miss it." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself was a lad." beyond words. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I have hopes." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he rose-bushes. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible something of him before." shaken than I had ever seen him. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would sneer upon his pale face. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Holmes. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I desk. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. ourselves in the office." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "The best possible." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Very good.' light and attacked it." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with grasp, he hurried from the room. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few annoyance, but no jest. "'How far from the body?' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the loss of it. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, these bleak autumnal evenings." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'There is a drive, then?' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "You will not go there first?" the bed, and you in that chair." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to highly," said Holmes. "And how?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were think you a quite exceptional woman." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Nothing?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Mary, has deserted me." fled together." "Yes, sir." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few observed. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You second." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass them present such singular features as the strange train of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From