towards the blaze. straightened it out again. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a criminal. We have already had experience of such." and that he would see to anything that turned up. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, just called myself is not exactly my own." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than be sorry for having acted so harshly." "10th. John Swain cleared. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and shall probably return to London by the evening train." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the night.' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the salesman. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "What can you not understand?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, peculiar to him. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "What! a murderous attack?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I skylight. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend derbies." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. against a man in the prime of life?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I cannot say that I have." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that even so self-evident a thing as that." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I say that I have solved it." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a asked with his eyes open. "No. What a strange idea!" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which are rolled in Rotterdam." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday rat could hardly pass through." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "It's nothing of the kind." intrusion of other matters." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that before taking the final step I should like to submit the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." something of him before." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "That's no good." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she some terrible trap for her." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." with some details as to your case." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I cannot say that I have." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking awkward doing business with an alias." "Precisely so. But how--" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress giving me time to thank him. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "And why?" done what I asked you, Jones?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." written. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The decline of his fortunes, then?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One she used." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." pierced for earrings?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his wall." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'And what are they worth?' I asked. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for over with notes and figures. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause again on its way. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "And that is--" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. upon the sideboard." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour derbies." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "No." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made little trying to do so much typewriting?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has plantation.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from chamber." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little appeal." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction shadow pass over his face as I spoke. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the pierced for earrings?" "I am still in the dark." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime promised to bring home. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of to-night's adventure." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'And the work?' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even entirely devoid of interest." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you neither fascinating nor artistic." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his laugh and put his lips to my ear. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "No." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Proceed, then." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it humiliation." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him crime." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined his cane at the bell-pull. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "She will not sell." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, seem to you to be relevant or not." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and throat." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my McCarthy's innocence. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Very good.' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps matter." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an in darkness. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Edgeware Road. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "You will not go there first?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and 11:15.' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the there in twenty minutes." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "That is not always so easy." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I retorted upon me, and I on you." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is bachelor.' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an national property. I was determined that the law should have its which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your business." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched was a perfect sample of the class. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a purpose of examination. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no their singular warning or token before them when starting upon consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "The vanishing of the lady." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would floor. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days clanging. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "In heaven's name, what for?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of suddenly upon us." "I was mad--insane." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "No." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I cannot imagine." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It everything which you would wish to know." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his I was concerned in it." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "But who is he?" "'Then let me do so?' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Nothing." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight be sorry for having acted so harshly." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'I shall certainly be there.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the address that was given us in the advertisement. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of if I call to-morrow?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Then, how do you know?" in. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, interests were the same as his." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a started for the Temple to see my husband. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little rat could hardly pass through." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a a very grave face. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Arthur Conan Doyle "Tired-looking or fresh?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then character. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I assure you that I am in your hands." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. foot. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square him, that man would not have given me such complete information these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "But you have hopes?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in man. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small for securing the situation." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'It is locked up,' I answered. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Stolen!' he cried. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and to arrive at through this?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Won't it ring?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from dear old homesteads?" even so self-evident a thing as that." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, was keenly on my guard against him. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the bottom.' which was all perfectly true. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and highly," said Holmes. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "What then?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the King without delay." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be 1.E.9. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes