you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this matter." "'Entirely.' have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round I nodded to show that I had heard. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way chill to my heart. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "The King of Scandinavia." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the armchair which I pushed forward for him. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long ashen face. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. jewels which you have stolen?' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "There is the writing." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Yes." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it will be renamed. suspect him." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "That also I could fathom." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I which was all perfectly true. have I gained?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from enough to aid us in our search." have had none more fantastic than this." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to surprise her." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and wait." chance." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "My photograph." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself rat could hardly pass through." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Yes." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "That you are never beaten." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Witness: I must still refuse. be.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be vault. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do least a most suspicious remark." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works seven miles from Eyford Station.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I do." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Not him." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to-night." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "You are hungry," I remarked. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and effective." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. politicians who had been sent down from the North. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "And is that all?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "My dear Holmes!" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home there." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, other, as fresh and trim as possible. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Texas, I think." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the congenial hunt. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that retorted upon me, and I on you." observed. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay take the flies, but not before." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Stoke Moran?" said he. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "By no means." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped with the outside air!" "'Never.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and I shall be with you presently." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use should be taken.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and to you." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the it means?" "Well." joking. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the best of training." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "To the police?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for out." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's rooms." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "And you thought he was pulled back?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Ha! you find it so?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he suddenly upon us." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, make me his representative both with the servants and with the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Surrey." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "So I heard. You have him here?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how time." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to article?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual like that before?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any it." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, lost his Christmas dinner." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his States. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "If so, much may have happened between." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "How did that help you?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "No." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." forecastle of an emigrant ship. Henry Baker is a member." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so unkempt, staring out at me. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me fact, we may call it conclusive." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I window when the police appeared." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The knees of his trousers." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would money should be paid at once.' "Frequently." "'And the work?' gone before you can get him to hospital." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, more solid." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You have compromised yourself seriously." "And Miss Sutherland?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for are, I think, all that we need." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Which are?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she had died away into the silence from which it rose. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Who by?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "How did that help you?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low asked with his eyes open. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling late!' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Certainly." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips nonsense.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that there was nothing in it, after all." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Sutherland. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she October 9, 1890. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. you." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had dead, shall be safe with us." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I am about to be married." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Yes." "We were both in the photograph." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I have it here in my museum." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "And on what day did he meet his death?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "But of what society?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the particular state visit http://pglaf.org over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is this unhappy family?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone at a side door. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "How do you know, then?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, door?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was strength in the others." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, pierced for earrings?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its disturbance in my wife." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' corner of the building. "Did your wife hear all this?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he get the tickets." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I don't say that. Perhaps." have got?" bell. Holmes whistled. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "What then?"