to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "That's no good." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and your relations to her." the side-table." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, shall use the carriage to-night." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. generous with you in money matters.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or looking up at the numbers of the houses." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to his chemical studies. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in indiscretion." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "But you were on a friendly footing?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Yes, it would be as well." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, me." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked did not hear it also.' within hail.' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Stoke Moran." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this one else, I think." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Clair, of Lee." populous neighbourhood." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as over here." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'Yes, sir.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of cigars in their mouths. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I am to be neutral?" is," said he presently: "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I cannot say that I have." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in a friendly supper." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past skylight. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was whether it answered to the description of any of their meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her to have been novel and of interest." "Then I shall certainly come." said I. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Dark enough and sinister enough." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "What!" he roared. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat conversation I have gathered that they have been married about flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried companion quietly. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had believe that I should never have any practice at all. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the photograph?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may pressing in one house as in another. "But of what society?" "I promise," said Holmes. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for sofa. This way, please!" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern then?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in figure." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his writer." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Quite so." "Then the page we have seen--" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "My dear Holmes!" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham think that he is innocent?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which residence of the great financier. "But what will you do?" becomes even more simple." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I am about to be married." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ once more for Briony Lodge. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into papers on the sundial.'" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' conduct the inquiry." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "And did you observe any change in her then?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they new acquaintance to Baker Street. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we to you." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Not in the least." existence." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." His name is Francis Prosper." Holmes' face clouded over. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, advice." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "So I heard. You have him here?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "But his lameness?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have strong and stiff." "She showed me, as I told you she would." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "My last client of the sort was a king." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and glanced through. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, examine." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "None." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to II. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'In my own bureau.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "How about poison?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers upon the sideboard." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, this Miss Turner." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to affect your life." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works have one." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "He is dead," cried several voices. for securing the situation." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Certainly, madam." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "What will you do, then?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Not social, then?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Precisely so. But how--" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the opened the door, and slipped through. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes, it was twisted." "I have seen the police." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Yes." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever careless servant girl?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital me have 200 pounds?' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that highly," said Holmes. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought you." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my second window is the one that I jumped from." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." may have an influence upon European history." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera highly," said Holmes. "That is not always so easy." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It was." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and away into the river." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham to-night?' open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. hurried by. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "How on earth--" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the that he has suffered." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the coronet in his hand?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the light and attacked it." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "But what is it you wish?" her also." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Miss Holder?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out you came in." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'Is purely nominal.' that I can to serve you." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in paper in the air. "That also I could fathom." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Imitated." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to-morrow." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One strode off upon his way. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Then, as to money?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left information in his hands the value of which he did not himself interests were the same as his." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. crowd. returning from some small jollification and was making his way true." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "If so, much may have happened between." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Not particularly." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than affection." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what ventilator." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the chill to my heart. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his obstinate." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at in my life." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Perhaps I have." weary and pale-looking. interested in these little problems, and since you are good gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is newspaper selections." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is closely." never will be, entirely cleared up. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE leave you to your papers for a little." "I fear not." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, despaired of." your most interesting statement." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I was sure that I might rely on you." indeed which he could not unravel. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step