one's self under obligations.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's kind enough to tell me what I should do." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, vault. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "What can you not understand?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it formed some opinion?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to get her out of the way." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, only one." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in shaken than I had ever seen him. side. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Very good.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Who by?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and that threaten you." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg room. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a to you." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the one as in the other." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe purpose equally well?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight rat could hardly pass through." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR new acquaintance to Baker Street. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, appeal." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and glanced through. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be ready to-morrow?' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to in my life." when your master had gone out." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "And I to find an enemy." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran for its centre. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew case before our client came into the room." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was new duties?' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This chambers. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "My own seal." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp be sorry for having acted so harshly." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It was." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to take the flies, but not before." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter know that the truth is known." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version are windows in it, of course?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the some water from a caraffe. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Not at all. I only doubt--' posted to-day." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. words came to my lips. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "And what did you see?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "But I am all in the dark." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor row." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Who by?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her second window is the one that I jumped from." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. desk. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "But how will you look?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'How far from the body?' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'A dozen yards or so.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Well?" the coroner come to?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "The Cedars?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. felt the room to be a little close.' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I cannot imagine." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you them, and came down just as you departed. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down photograph?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "And what did you learn from him?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she my secret was safe in his possession. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. south, for the country is more deserted there." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Yes." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "You have a clue?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely this man was intellectual?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and in his hands." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Then let me do so?' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and I am not easy in my mind about them." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "To an English lawyer named Norton." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. third from London." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had ordinary clothes on?" instituted." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, really the only notable feature about the thing." indiscretion." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old call for it in person on Monday morning.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not weighed down with some great anxiety. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am his huge brown hands. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Perhaps I have." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the coronet in his hands?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "In the cells." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just me. You must get home instantly and act." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "No?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project What do you deduce from it?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the about here speaks of his kindness to him." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away on in his house." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his face. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the like gravel from a pit.' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the maid will bring up your coffee." British peeress.'" "What office?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I have it here in my museum." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan there were one or two details which were new to me. But the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the do.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! this man was intellectual?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to security.' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from has little to do with my story." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry man. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the matter." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the him. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and used to be." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. as he folded up the epistle. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Pope's Court. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' during that time.' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be long narrative. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by chambers. of the one which your family is now devouring." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Did your wife hear all this?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he constraint." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us bachelor.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you off." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? compunction about shooting them down." not fit the lock." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the bearing upon the case." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" said he. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "And sit in the dark?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hour?' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I cannot tell." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. correct than the official force." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the might help us?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's tail." with frightened eyes at his accuser. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, stalked out of the room. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him to tackle the facts." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary