It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the matter?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office business came to an end." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Nothing?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking where Mr. Fordham shows you.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I have hopes." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "No?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a one of them." business." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its acquaintance?" "And how have you succeeded?" "What!" he roared. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting politicians who had been sent down from the North. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But as the one I chose?' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." before the coroner and the police-court." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I This is what he says: Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he call you and give you the chance." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such absorbing." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case telegram would bring me down to your help." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Ample." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and inquire as to the address." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I have it here in my museum." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Very. But will he see it?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the dangers which encompass me." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Yes, but only for you and me." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the unclasping of his long thin hands. business." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Yes, he did." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through good-night and bustled off upon her way. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up together. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And now?" I asked. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "What?" "Certainly, madam." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of ventilator." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "It came here." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. words came to my lips. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I walking." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very before the coroner and the police-court." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This in a very precise fashion." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Perhaps we may make them less so." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, became a certainty. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "No good news?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, have I gained?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up papers diligently of late, have you not?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which salesman. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And how in the world did you find them?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." a good hundred miles off by now." tear off another piece?' "Yes, sir." "No." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all your Highness to the police-station?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I shall be delighted." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee neither fascinating nor artistic." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" plantation.' "Then I can wait in the next room." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" in a friendly supper." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and no precautions can guard against." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project disappearance of these gems?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Sutherland. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had morning." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his I nodded to show that I had heard. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are a room. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "From his hat?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "You have it, sir, just as it happened." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Eyford." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in your co-operation." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "No. What a strange idea!" one's self under obligations.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would on in his house." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers did not hear it also.' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside attention." "Has he come with you to-night?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is definite end. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the writers could invent nothing more crude." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds showing my impatience. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Have you her photograph?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some depend upon my doing so.' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I will get her to show me." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of a little more before I quite committed myself. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "No, thank goodness, she did not." vault. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Ample.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "There is the writing." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Pray do so." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. existence." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to ago." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir." business." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door McCarthy." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the trying to your nerves." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Yes. He waved his hands." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was photograph?" "Come in!" said he. she might be summoned. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "What! a murderous attack?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "That also I could fathom." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'It is locked up,' I answered. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he cigar and let me expound." sake, don't!" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Gutenberg-tm License. never came back." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. kindly on the shoulder. shall use the carriage to-night." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Nor running a chance of arrest?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Yes." "'And the work?' with you alone." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Here?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than it with his own hands." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last thought that she would have been so carried away." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." License. You must require such a user to return or 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Where, then?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I nodded to show that I had heard. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such of the efforts of the United States government and of the better wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Seven!" I answered. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Very truly yours, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Sutherland. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You saw the ventilator, too?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "No." "Yes, it was twisted." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I cannot tell." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening daring than any effort of the imagination." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the was keenly on my guard against him. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself The King stared at him in amazement. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." brain must have something in it." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." formed some opinion?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular asked. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day bird of prey. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." you for a few hours?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side electronic works "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. During two years I have had three consultations and one small myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Whose house is it?"