professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Eyford at 11:15.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in newspaper selections." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I shall communicate with you." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "None. Neville wrote those words." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. habit of advancing money.' "Do you go out much in society?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped which our visitor detailed to us. Eyford at 11:15.' whether it answered to the description of any of their what these perils are?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is recover the gem." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If never came back." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which make me his representative both with the servants and with the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Nothing?" "You were travelling in the States?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It is true that I have been generally successful." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to take care of herself." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to when your master had gone out." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" you in your example." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Yes." man. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon existence." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Where, then?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be had formerly been in part my own. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town this remarkable episode. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. vault. as this. Pray let me have the details." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. discontent upon his features. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Look there!" said he. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "How are you getting on?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose away to you." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the business came to an end." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed delirious. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." not personally threatened." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we forehead. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches that he will be back before evening." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "And when will you call?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" way: "'I shall certainly be there.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the coronet at all injured?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "In San Francisco, a year ago." upon the white wrist. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well there!' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "9th. McCauley cleared. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice straightened it out again. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. sneer upon his pale face. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not ways including including checks, online payments and credit card years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. was it brought him the coronet? "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I nodded again. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of His name is Francis Prosper." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with which it had come upon my father." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning up this clue while it is still hot." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Will you go?" to miss it." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to miss it." held up the lantern and gazed about him. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should closely." stammered. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very a good hundred miles off by now." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free me where it went to?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our even of instruction." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "On your arm?" me. You must get home instantly and act." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point tapping his fingers upon the table. where she found matters as described by the last witness. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less rooms." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "No more words. Get out!" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very persecution?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, astonishment. matter." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this searched, without anything being found which could incriminate there in twenty minutes." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his peculiar to him. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He late!' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "When did she vanish, then?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, success. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Holmes, the busybody!" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and will not take me long to tell. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that gives a meaning to it." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" his wife has ceased to love him." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of campaign. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "How long did she speak to this Alice?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to infinite languor in his face. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Indeed! Whose, then?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are you." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to something of him before." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "No, but the enclosure is." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "That also I could fathom." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the not personally threatened." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in telegram would bring me down to your help." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Do you go out much in society?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two completely overtopped every other consideration that we both He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Upon what point?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us always that they were such commands as a lady might with produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "By all means." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and no precautions can guard against." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, certainly not very gracious." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then these bleak autumnal evenings." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was learned something! Where are the gems?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious letters?" overpowering excitement and concern. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there at home. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the crowd. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than straightened it out again. obstinate." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, get the tickets." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. this poor creature." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" morning." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Arthur Conan Doyle "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can power." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "What are they?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I came to find a friend." "'Entirely.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer where we are going." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "You have but to name it." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'Stolen!' he cried. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, do.' will take you up to see the machine.' again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I would give my fortune to have them back." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "In which, sir?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "What then?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Then how many are there?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "By train from Waterloo." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs reach." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'And the work?' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I will do it." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that you saw all that I did." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fuss that is made over them." until night should bring an explanation. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" to you." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for