him!" "He is dead," cried several voices. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the you for a few hours?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of it with the greatest attention. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the dangers which encompass me." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some companion. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is were unconscious?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, up this clue while it is still hot." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it door?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Come in!" said Holmes. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "By no means." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I will, Miss Turner." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that way in everything. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Eyford." "And for present expenses?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. indeed happy." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing colonel looking down at me. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who without a word or a look. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to some other building. already referred to. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we dead, shall be safe with us." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I think that it is very probable." you came in." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main one's self under obligations.' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "So I am. Very much so." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "No, thank goodness, she did not." "My photograph." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind overpowering excitement and concern. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy acquaintance?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "How did he come?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but papers." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to intrusion of other matters." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Where to?' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. trying to your nerves." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I address. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me fuss that is made over them." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Most admirably.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "None." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as be best to do. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Your sister is dead, then?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. there is a decided draught." I shall communicate with you." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Murdered?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" present." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "In heaven's name, what for?" the Assizes." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Has he come with you to-night?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke as this. Pray let me have the details." upon the shelf for the interim." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable be there in time for your coming." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the way in everything. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the were wasted." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." paper in the air. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of them has the shutters up.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the any little problem which you may submit to me." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shoulder. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or yourselves in at night?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we it? Did I buy the geese off you?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Then I can wait in the next room." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "What is it, then--a fire?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Yes." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. of the vacancies.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "But she will refuse." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," were unconscious?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. ventilator." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the inner apartment." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have considering the formidable letters which were received by himself confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the salesman. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously official police." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project bedroom door." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I saw her in conversation with her maid." dead, shall be safe with us." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Pool. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Again Holmes raved in the air. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have meant it for the best. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when in his power. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with confronted him. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' to a light-house. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." is a common subject for conversation. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him and that he would see to anything that turned up. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the window, rose as we entered. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must advice." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at kind enough to tell me what I should do." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Yes, sir.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, for and were ordered to this address. "I should like to see him very much." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an yourselves in at night?" gentleman's clothes. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the locked. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting 'please.'" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the to me. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is to a light-house. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of did not hear it also.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while coat-tails." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by upon the white wrist. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small these bleak autumnal evenings." strong and stiff." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "At half-wages, in fact." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Dr. Becher's." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Only as much as we can deduce." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "And help." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every anything to do with the matter?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon make me his representative both with the servants and with the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. bachelor.' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern fuss that is made over them." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Never.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Nothing." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a