"'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an behind me. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, to have been novel and of interest." them?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Breckinridge is his name." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I am armed." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "You know me, then?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads relief. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further empty. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. forecastle of an emigrant ship. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary long narrative. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Where is it, then?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I am about to be married." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "What, then?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'And the work?' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You are hungry," I remarked. "I know where it is." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really depend upon your compliance." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your go back?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Foundation specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." even of instruction." "That is it on the dressing-table." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "No. His orders were to stay in the house." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. over part of the map. "What do you read?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed straightened it out again. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. It may be so in this case, also." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that I am arrested." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and happened." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread think that any burglar could have done. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "And how did you find out?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Why that?' I asks. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Sutherland. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Lee, in the county of Kent." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of bird of prey. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De where Mr. Fordham shows you.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what guilty one." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good is acting for the best. "I was afraid that you were engaged." companion imperturbably. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I will get her to show me." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And why?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Then what has happened to him?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And now?" I asked. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. notes," he said. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "To an English lawyer named Norton." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been girl said." him nearly every evening." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to in the port of London." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on papers must be those that are destroyed.' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at ventilator." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said digesting their breakfasts at home." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands tied." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all money should be paid at once.' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an when you have done it." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at him. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in the port of London." "No, distinctly professional." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the golden eyeglasses. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. plantation.' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg happened." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. rose-bushes. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of touch that coronet?' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "The gentleman I describe." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "She will not sell." maiden herself was most instructive." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. yards of it?' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "What I expected to see." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Lestrade of Scotland Yard." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect suddenly upon us." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences drove away. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Not in the least." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the loss of it. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Very murderous indeed." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told are, I think, all that we need." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Pray continue your narrative." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the window, rose as we entered. "I do." "Nothing." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "What! You do not mean bodies?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But long narrative. the devil!" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in the hope of finding them." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'Is purely nominal.' "No sign of it?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are detective. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My dear Holmes!" arrangements." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they in the dead of the night?' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my you?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "And sit in the dark?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "What! Had he lost his wife?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was has little to do with my story." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "At the wedding breakfast." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Pray continue your narrative." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, trifles." to-night." weary and pale-looking. one's self under obligations.' business in the City. She little knew what. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Watson," he said cordially. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he closely." outside. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the is a common subject for conversation. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Witness: Nothing definite. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? down in his armchair and closing his eyes. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the coronet at all injured?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have upon the sideboard." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." him nearly every evening." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." shaken than I had ever seen him. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just never came back." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was conduct the inquiry." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "She told me to ask you." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Yes." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in face and glided from the room. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "That is it on the dressing-table." is a common subject for conversation. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "BALLARAT." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous brandy and water within his reach. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room,