"'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Perhaps we may make them less so." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was charge against him will break down." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had seen the man in the road." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "No." "Witness: Nothing definite. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an your most interesting statement." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness stammered. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded in darkness. are, I think, all that we need." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "And sit in the dark?" "Then the page we have seen--" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you of this gang." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "It may not come to that," said Holmes. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "But who is he?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'Why that?' I asks. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a nights." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "How do you know, then?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'I am sure that I do not know.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Very murderous indeed." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "No, I think that I'll take it." pound a week." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "But how?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "How did you deduce the select?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He joking. nonsense.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which unprofitable." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads until night should bring an explanation. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving photograph?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be which we had just quitted. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. golden eyeglasses. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. results." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In will be renamed. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And Irene Adler?" "I am to be neutral?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "My dear Holmes!" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he conversation I have gathered that they have been married about cheerful." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself hereditary King of Bohemia." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "At the wedding breakfast." "One of his hands." "Get out!" said he. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I should like to see him very much." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me as he remarks, very much against the son." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of will he say when he returns?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon stalked out of the room. fatally injured? "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the opportunities to fix the problem. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "It is no ordinary one." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Holmes. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" photograph a cabinet?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored quite distinctive." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight in my life." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at way in." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to rat could hardly pass through." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and bedroom door." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Witness: It was. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of them, and came down just as you departed. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, six. Come in!" "To the police?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband look upon these things in a different way." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the matter." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry rose-bushes. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "It is very clear." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with started for the Temple to see my husband. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was my room." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be derbies." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and know what is wrong with it.' gbnewby@pglaf.org "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Not in the least." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "The Coroner: What do you mean? tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to-morrow." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to are, I think, all that we need." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "That is easily got." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "No, I had a dozen." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in his hands." 1.E.9. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Get out!" said he. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and himself. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "By train from Waterloo." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms evidence," I remarked. "Yes." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary heavily into it. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom populous neighbourhood." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. purpose of examination. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to me. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a next day. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Certainly." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "No sign of it?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the acted in my house last night?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Entirely." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Farm upon the left." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque his face which made him a very different person to the round, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "It is a murder, then?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and glanced through. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Yes, there are nearly always some there." as the one I chose?' prison!" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the http://gutenberg.net/license). "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my point our research must commence, and we will begin it by And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" strength." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" I nodded to show that I had heard. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be was keenly on my guard against him. "But you have hopes?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." if I call to-morrow?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and a shock of very red hair. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See dates and names. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Ten to two.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Did you become engaged then?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Two days later this same performance was gone through under sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen minor matters until to-morrow." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring with some details as to your case." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I am sure." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in annoyance, but no jest. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and looked back. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." which was all perfectly true. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "What then?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella are, and they are waiting for us." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a strong and stiff." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his States. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. villagers almost as much as their master. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I speckled band?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Was there a secret marriage?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yes." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and to tackle the facts." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and wait." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend will take you up to see the machine.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he crackling voice. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of."