gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided highroad, where all traces were lost. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through meant." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You have but to name it." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I have my revolver," said I. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H events than those which have happened in my own family." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "No, my brougham is waiting." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Where, then, is my wife?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Pray let us have it, for all that." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I key of the affair now." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They back alive. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "My stepfather's business papers." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me was used.' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. death." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Oh, no.' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and was used.' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." quickly through a disagreeable task. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "There is the writing." "Ample." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush papers diligently of late, have you not?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I beg pardon." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You were travelling in the States?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Then I shall certainly come." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from friends, not even his own brother. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day is so. I know all about McCarthy." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Certainly." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain do." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of answered with a sidelong glance. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Very much so." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you to-night?" I asked. "No sign of it?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless directly by questioning you." matters immensely." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the south-west, I see." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather one else, I think." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the iron safe, which he closed upon it. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from purpose of examination. "We were both in the photograph." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gentleman's clothes. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Breckinridge is his name." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the For additional contact information: before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "How about poison?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be standing smiling on the door-step. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Thank you. Pray proceed." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out did not hear it also.' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "It is very kind of you." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Ten will be early enough." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the night.' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in acquaintance?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or cost them two and thirty pounds." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, in my life." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa narrative." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Dirty?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, closely." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he bedroom door." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, prison!" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. sparkled upon his finger. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. behind me. acted in my house last night?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'A dozen yards or so.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Thank you. And your address?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Very good.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You are all wrong." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "None." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "No, but the enclosure is." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Of Friday, June 19th." golden eyeglasses. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out you in your example." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton begun to whiten, even as mine has." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "What do you make of that, Watson?" your only hope of safety." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by thin, with a long, sharp nose?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his vault. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have been better. It is all right." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the golden eyeglasses. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Of what day?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You have carte blanche." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "What! Had he lost his wife?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "How often?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Entirely." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but at a side door. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Very truly yours, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the roused himself from his reverie. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do did not hear it also.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it children over to America with him, so that I found myself without what these perils are?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I have hopes." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. call you and give you the chance." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from residence of the great financier. beyond words. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "My Mary? Impossible!" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Pray do so." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And when will you call?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the shall not find me ungrateful." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in which it had come upon my father." happened." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and together. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of Mr. Rucastle's." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "So I have heard." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately desk. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an against a man in the prime of life?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Well, it is a possible supposition." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. call the police, let the police find what they can.' Mrs. Toller serenely. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. writing, and yet I know it well." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front outbreak?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even shall use the carriage to-night." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful clanging. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but case before our client came into the room." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could allusion to a rat. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows galvanised. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Is purely nominal.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "She walked into the breakfast-room." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Then how many are there?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must kindly on the shoulder. hair?' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Well, but China?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were already been minutely examined." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you front of me. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very one which it was hard to resist. the station." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Stolen!' he cried. "Did you observe the colour?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action you?' tail." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he during that time.' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to have been novel and of interest." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a touch that coronet?' you." States. some city in a dream. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester behind me. in my life." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Of what day?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "And what then?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Yes, sir.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such