"'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "At what time?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again which I could not give. He asked for Alice. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "So it appears." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a to tackle the facts." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to some other building. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "No good news?" "Precisely." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." remarked. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "What are they?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Was he the only applicant?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business new acquaintance to Baker Street. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Very. But will he see it?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to point in the dark hollow of his hand. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was it brought him the coronet? Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "And the cigar-holder?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It is possible." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as to-morrow." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, again on its way. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. other, as fresh and trim as possible. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his matter over." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before be sorry for having acted so harshly." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no opened the door, and slipped through. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "And did you observe any change in her then?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning DAMAGE. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for extraordinary contortions. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in lost his Christmas dinner." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, dear old homesteads?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. gone. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she His smile broadened. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and no precautions can guard against." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'What do you call purely nominal?' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked were unconscious?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "From his hat?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Where, then, is my wife?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a golden eyeglasses. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' a room. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the loss of it. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me gives a meaning to it." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole photograph?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Then, how do you know?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the coroner come to?" the bottom.' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Thank you. And your address?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "No." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was may have an influence upon European history." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my of the one which your family is now devouring." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this James Windibank. Voilà tout!" companion. chance." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It is a murder, then?" page at http://pglaf.org his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It certainly sounds feasible." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once do.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project held up the lantern and gazed about him. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to floor. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I your co-operation." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but McCarthy." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there leaning back in his chair. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT young Openshaw's." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." man. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Watson," he said cordially. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he crowd. bill, which interests me deeply." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "No, my brougham is waiting." evidence," I remarked. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'You doubt its value?' he asked. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "My Mary? Impossible!" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have been better. It is all right." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Eyford at 11:15.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Has he come with you to-night?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "No, my brougham is waiting." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You know me, then?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are entirely devoid of interest." "But you have hopes?" burst out into a roar of laughter. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey gone. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and I shall be with you presently." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the night.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There joking. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that his knees, staring into the fire. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'Why that?' I asks. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Texas, I think." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you was a perfect sample of the class. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two happened." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a affair. "His face fell immediately. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my it were putty." "At the wedding breakfast." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been spare." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is all that?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" my friend's incisive reasoning. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "And did you observe any change in her then?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and purpose equally well?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty him to be an active member of the medical profession." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account be. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'It is locked up,' I answered. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table secret." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "One of the highest in England." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure remarked. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "There is the writing." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Her father is very rich?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped what these perils are?" the little opening for the ventilator is." said he. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to whatever might befall. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "And now?" I asked. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and looked back. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I be best to do. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the side-table." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter brandy and water within his reach. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my mysterious end." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. nothing of it?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I cannot say that I have." that I may have something better before very many minutes are fact, we may call it conclusive." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Do you go out much in society?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man if only as a check to my own memory." mystery." "I cannot as yet see any connection." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before union?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Well, it is a possible supposition." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant just ask you whether you had heard it.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set James Windibank. Voilà tout!" quick march!" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on without success. At last the little money which I had saved began As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, me." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk least a fellow-countryman. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to