"See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "That was it, sir." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I yet." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the date of his supposed suicide." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter open." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "What then?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your such person." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to talk it over. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Then, as to money?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a matter." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Certainly." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'How far from the body?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in the dead of the night?' "Not him." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly nonsense.' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view straighten it?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert little adventures." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Eyford." business?" "Nothing?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently think you a quite exceptional woman." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about looking up at the numbers of the houses." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY chance." "You horrify me." "I should like to see him very much." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a over here." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Here?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to address. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the points to suicide?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the client, rising. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to rose-bushes. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." power." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." written. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered too. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who used to be." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat prepare for the new role I have to play." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how even of instruction." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a back alive. "Will you go?" "He said that you could solve anything." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge During two years I have had three consultations and one small Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Where did you address your letters, then?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, wedding?" "No good news?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" answered with a sidelong glance. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than green of the new foliage. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. present." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other will take you up to see the machine.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little beg that you will break it off." in this note: my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "The vanishing of the lady." round and wave him away like that.' "My last client of the sort was a king." him and tried to hold him back. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we 'please.'" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I have my revolver," said I. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I approached. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and pierced for earrings?" "But how will you look?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part one else, I think." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that depend upon your compliance." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well morning." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that you saw all that I did." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the 1.F. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly pierced for earrings?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in families. Now for the facts. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me think, you have already met." "Not particularly." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and were wasted." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and would then never go into court at all." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "So it appears." and put his glass in his pocket. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock me upon any point which I do not make clear." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the in him." "May I see it?" think you a quite exceptional woman." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did you." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the him and tried to hold him back. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You heard nothing yourself last night?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the important." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without mysterious business." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Why, it's a dummy," said he. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by from the brougham. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." that you wished to speak to me?' know what is wrong with it.' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "That is easily got." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Entirely." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Then, as to money?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Yes, the wine-cellar." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no think that he is innocent?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in at my remark. Gutenberg-tm License. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not own family. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck without success. At last the little money which I had saved began that he has suffered." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: all-comprehensive glances. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." constraint." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to-night?' few hundred pounds.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship DAMAGE. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "My last client of the sort was a king." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I was used.' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge your Highness to the police-station?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock 1.F. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'I have already given you my word.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "And when will you call?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Frequently." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? intrusion of other matters." tell them apart.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend orange pips. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a congenial hunt. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he himself in a perplexing position. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Really! You surprise me." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." prisoner's face. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Awake, Watson?" he asked. discontent upon his features. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, page at http://pglaf.org broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "10th. John Swain cleared. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have in my life." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "How do you know, then?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Two days later this same performance was gone through under woman." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to change my dress. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You are hungry," I remarked. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others business matters.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have place, I think that there is good ground to think that the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from retorted upon me, and I on you." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "No, distinctly professional." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of a light. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Again Holmes raved in the air. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and is a common subject for conversation. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be from you?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger that I am arrested." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, would then never go into court at all." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is as this. Pray let me have the details." crackling voice. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Precisely." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'Yes, I promise.' see a sister of mine apply for." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal to you." detained." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I am still in the dark." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Henry Baker is a member." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to some other building. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be next day. "I say that I have solved it." that he has suffered." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker,