heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger ways of our fellow-men." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, his forehead." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Farm upon the left." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. was not a bird to be seen there. stammered. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." views." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has lips." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, look dissatisfied." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Her father is very rich?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of before the coroner and the police-court." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Do you know him?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to that open window." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she seem to you to be relevant or not." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Where, indeed?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this depend upon your compliance." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must that the gas is not laid on in his house?" placed his cuttings. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "They are typewritten," I remarked. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Gutenberg-tm License. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were particular state visit http://pglaf.org tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few in a very precise fashion." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Well?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Again Holmes raved in the air. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and shall use the carriage to-night." "Of Friday, June 19th." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round one's self under obligations.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a been deceived." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "On Monday." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note disturbance in my wife." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. at my own good fortune. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was hand, madam?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his questionable one." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see conversation I have gathered that they have been married about public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch criminal. We have already had experience of such." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern at a side door. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the inner apartment." I held the little printed slip to the light. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "The best possible." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY tell me that you intended to go into harness." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of despair." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from washing it down with a long draught of water. lost nothing by them." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend to have been novel and of interest." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the hands. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the roots. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "And why in hopes?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone used to be." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I will do it." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "And from a noble client?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Deserted you?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, respectable self." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "That is also quite modern," said the lady. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Watson," he said cordially. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have giving me time to thank him. "In San Francisco, a year ago." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull tightly behind him. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "The rest you will leave in our hands." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE matter." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would definite end. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "What office?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You impression behind it as though a window had gently closed The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own retorted upon me, and I on you." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Holmes' face clouded over. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, article?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "And help." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to-night?" I asked. out." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to spark where all is dark to me." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" was it brought him the coronet? lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part south, for the country is more deserted there." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first row." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Seven!" I answered. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the side-table." "Here?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, you in your example." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out http://gutenberg.net/license). must compliment you." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian said I. "Eh? What was that?" fatally injured? avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Get out!" said he. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Why did you beat the pavement?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of his shoulders. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I leave." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Yes, at the mines." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and shall probably return to London by the evening train." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & said he. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the tragedy. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the written. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you laugh and put his lips to my ear. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the careless servant girl?" "Why, what do you mean?" sake, don't!" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing should be taken.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this digesting their breakfasts at home." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was then?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the name is different." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Why did you pick him?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the breakfast?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias if she died from some sudden fright." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Quite sure, dad.' ways of our fellow-men." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "In which, sir?" village inn over there?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be attention." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the bottom.' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I beg pardon." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his eyes and forehead. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "No. What a strange idea!" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save waste of energy." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "In what way?" asked Holmes. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, this poor creature." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" case-book, which he consulted. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Arthur Conan Doyle and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "And help." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "He is dead," cried several voices. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the never came back." notes," he said. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Eyford at 11:15.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard