"'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." tear off another piece?' "Precisely." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was in the dead of the night?' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few before, for it was considerably after midnight. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to not personally threatened." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "No, I had a dozen." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. on in his house." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, wedding?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." foot. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, The summons was a brief and urgent one. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and capable of preserving a secret.' "'As governess?' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, purpose equally well?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Absolutely none." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Where, then, is my wife?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Pope's Court. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his occurred." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. over with notes and figures. "Where, indeed?" to-night." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'What do you call purely nominal?' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of His name is Francis Prosper." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It looks newer than the other things?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "What! Had he lost his wife?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest During two years I have had three consultations and one small One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We go from here to the Strand." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Where did you address your letters, then?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was national property. I was determined that the law should have its interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave chamber." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Just look it up, then." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger noise which awoke you from your sleep?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR late." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the house with me." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "We must have a cab." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was could gather together that I was able to avert another public dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the stones. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She straighten it?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It may not come to that," said Holmes. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "It's nothing of the kind." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon straighten it?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is for securing the situation." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the King without delay." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return undoubtedly my uncle's." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP habit of advancing money.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter as he remarks, very much against the son." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Really! You surprise me." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to talk it over. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And for present expenses?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I see no marks." events, Mr. Windibank!" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of during that time.' in one or two places in England?' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of side. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may problems help me to do so." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an gigantic client. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Oh, yes, easily." "My private note-paper." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute grasp, he hurried from the room. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "We must sit without light. He would see it through the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Yes?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the loss of it. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out with some details as to your case." "We were both in the photograph." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to astonishment. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" everything which you would wish to know." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his made his money." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Yes." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "What do you mean?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "In answer to an advertisement." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" waste of energy." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Pray let us have it, for all that." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "The Coroner: What do you mean? waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Then you may entirely rely on me." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." from you?" his grey eyes. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true round and wave him away like that.' companion imperturbably. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. delighted to hear it," he said. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party quite distinctive." "Not him." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'Yes, sir.' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The summons was a brief and urgent one. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son himself in a perplexing position. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Have you it here?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." leaning back in his chair. "My private note-paper." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Is he quiet?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "In which, sir?" friends, not even his own brother. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I next day. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful companion imperturbably. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic point in the dark hollow of his hand. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It tightly behind him. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all was lame." in the hope of finding them." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in letters?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Then I am your man." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage yourselves in at night?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "No, distinctly professional." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "What, then?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I dear old homesteads?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue families. Now for the facts. strong and stiff." your bag." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a conceal it?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and future lives." way in everything. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "A greater distance to travel." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Have you her photograph?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left upon the white wrist. together. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and was a loud and authoritative tap. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "It surprised me." himself to tell his story. with some details as to your case." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at charge against him will break down." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." of." interested in these little problems, and since you are good to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over some place of shelter and let the county police know what has and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." 11:15.' again, where I was soon asleep. writers could invent nothing more crude." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the bachelor.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to Leatherhead. there in twenty minutes." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "There is the writing." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief leaning back in his chair. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, carriage. It was a chestnut." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That outsides of the windows.